This column is usually dedicated to updating you about our passion: real estate. Today, we want to share with you another passion of ours … being involved with our communities and residents.
This weekend, an amazing event will take place in Lake Forest and thousands of communities throughout the world. The American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life” represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated. “Relay For Life” is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity and is a 24-hour event in which teams are organized to take turns walking a track to raise much needed funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment.
The event brings together more than 3.5 million people and has raised over 2 billion dollars since first held in 1985. The event begins with a “Survivor’s Lap” in which cancer survivors take a victory lap around the track.
In 2004, I had been diagnosed with lung cancer, underwent chemo therapy and had one lung removed. During my hospital stay, I received a phone call from a friend and fellow REALTOR® telling me about the “Relay For Life,” to be held the following day. I was being released that day and told my friend I would love to stop by on my way home to walk my victory lap. My wife was not sure about this, but relented and drove us to the event. With some help, I got to the track and walked that lap. It is, to this day, one of the most memorable events of my life. The outpouring of support from the people that attend is overwhelming.
We all are affected by this disease in one way or another, whether it’s a friend, relative or ourselves, this disease has no boundaries. This year, millions more will be touched by cancer and it seems no one is exempt.
On behalf of all of us at Coldwell Banker, we want to thank all of the volunteers who freely give “personal time,” a very precious gift, to support this cause!
We would like to invite everyone to come by and walk a lap.
Rick Jenkins A Survivor For more information or to donate, please visit www.relayforlife.org or www.cancer.org.