For some reason, event organizer find 16 of July 2011 a really good day to held events, there are roughly 4-5 events going around yesterday, we have Bon Odori a japanese fair in Shah Alam, Urbanscape too, then there was some concert going on in some stadium, and lets not forget the Malaysian football team vs Liverpool match *which i still have no idea how football works*. But of these event, i have participate on one the mean the most to me, Relay for Life 2011.
The basic idea of Relay for Life was people trying to raise charity, by jogging, walking, running none stop for 16 hours in a field. The idea was came up by Dr Gordan Klatt Washington, who jogged for 24 hours to raise money for his patiants, sooner or later, the noble action was pick up by people around the world.
I have been with Relay for Life since 2010, the first time it was due to assignments, and the event meant little to me as just a casual charity, but as time goes, i lost love one to cancer, the idea of Relay for Life become clear to me, which is why, out of all the event going on, i decided to attend Relay.
The event started at 6 but when i got to Relay it was already started, i have miss out on the grand opening, but oh well, at least i'm there. The event organizer was giving speech on stage, it was introduction of the Relay, which i wasn't giving must attention at :p Oh by the way, you wont expect to see people that drown in sadness and sorrows in Relay, Relay's does not cooperate them self with such image, but more to encourage and inspire people to " Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back", which in the same time is their tag line.
The first lap to go around the field will always be taken by cancer patients and saviors , as i said earlier, you wont find sad people here, just bunch of happy people, that has endured hardship, and enjoying their well earned life.
After the saviors, the laps will be taken by everyone, we can see people from places all around our country, and there are even people from other country, there was this couple from Houston Texas which was happen to be in Malaysia, joined the Relay.
As night approach, the Relay goes on, people are still going on, spirit are still high, at night we see more people join in for the run, and there was performance going on on the stage. I decided to walk up on of the hill and take a panorama, only then i notice that almost all of the people there were wearing yellow. *maybe someone will run yelling bersih* :p
Around 8.30pm, the most memorable part of Relay of Life was held, the Luminaria. Luminaria is where people lights up lantern, to honer and remind us those who pass away fighting cancer. This is one of the main reason i came to Relay and stay, i have lost few love one to cancer, and to be able to be in a place, that was dedicated to them means allot to me.
Well, this is where i conclude my post, i left after the luminaria section, the Relay goes on as i left, people are still running on the field, showing to others, their spirit of fighting will continue.