This year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Rock County is Friday, June 10, and guess who’s the honorary chairperson?
Yup. I am.
When Merecie Domagala (the real chairperson who does all the work) asked me if I’d accept this honorary position, without hesitation I offered an enthusiastic “Yes! I’d love to.”
I said yes for two reasons. One, I get to ride in a convertible in the Buffalo Days Parade. This has been a lifelong dream of mine, waving to the adoring minions while doing the perfect princess wave. “Elbow. Wrist. Elbow. Wrist. Touch your pearls and blow a kiss.”
As a cancer adventurer I know it would be wrong to throw sugar-laced candy to the children, so I’m planning on tossing broccoli florets instead. (The sooner children learn that life is filled with disappointment, the better off they’ll be.)
I haven’t yet received all the parade information, but I think I’ll be placed somewhere between the firetruck and the two kids on a lawn mower pulling their little brother in a wagon.
The second reason I said yes to this wonderful opportunity is because I thought I got to be supreme ruler of Rock County for a day. This turned out to be incorrect.
I was already drawing up plans to reroute the bike path, re-rename The Lake, bring back the crossing guards, pave County Road 15, (it goes to my parents’ house and we get our car dirty driving there) and rescind all federal school lunch guidelines in county schools.
I was a teeny bit disappointed to learn that I just need to make a brief speech to the audience gathered in the City Park on June 10.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m happy to do it. I just thought being the honorary Relay For Life chairperson came with a little more responsibility.
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OK, all kidding aside, it really is an honor to serve as the honorary chairperson for this year’s Relay for Life. Sadly there are hundreds of other local cancer adventurers who are “qualified” to fill the position. There is nothing special about the annual honorary chair. He or she is just one more person with cancer.
One of the things the American Cancer Society does is fund research looking for the cure for cancer.
I always used to say, “I don’t want a cure for cancer. I just don’t want to get it in the first place.” That philosophy didn’t work out very well, but not getting cancer in the first place is still the best way to “cure” cancer.
If you drink, drink in moderation. Quit smoking. Exercise. Lose weight. Eat real food. De-stress.
And come to the City Park June 10 to walk and remember our friends, family and neighbors who have died from this disease and to show love and support for those still on the journey.
We would appreciate it.