Who has heard of Relay For Life? I had not until a request came through for a laughter club representative to do a ‘laughter session’ for it last Sunday in Malvern. What I discovered was that Relay For Life is a not for profit organisation, fundraising for the Cancer Council.
Apparently it is in 20 countries around the world and goes on at differing times throughout Australia. Here is a short blurb from the website: “Relay For Life is a fun, outdoor overnight fundraising event that brings communities together to celebrate and remember the lives of those who have battled cancer. Teams take turns to walk or run around a track whilst enjoying entertainment, activities and moving ceremonies.”
Anyhow, the one I went to was sponsored by the City of Boroondara and was held in Hawthorn.
Here is the thank you, which is self explanatory the great work that is being done. “Just wanted to say a big thank-you to your contributions to Relay For Life. As some of you know, we were able to raise over 100 thousand dollars (up to 600 thousand in total since its inception), with the aim of raising 1 million by 2015. Please find attached our Certificates of Appreciation. Hope to see you all again in 2013!”
I am sharing here how fantastic it was to be involved and I would happily do it again soon when one is coming up next in my area. At first I did not know quite what to do, as although there was a stage, people were walking round and round the track and so the only thing I could do was walk with them.
It reminded me of the Australia Day March and simply acting the fool. I think I am a frustrated clown and would love to be a clown some day. It was very moving that these people were part of teams and there were 1,000 people involved in walking, from 4pm Saturday until 10am Sunday.
I met one young girl at 9.30am Sunday who had not stopped. That was mind blowing. The organiser Graeme pointed out another young tall thin man, who had also not stopped and he said there were a few of them.
How extraordinary for people to get out of their own way and so something so significant in order to raise money for the cancer cause. So what I did was act silly, laughing, clapping, going up to people greeting them, placing a sticker on their forehead or cheek and I felt to offer them a sticker blessing. After a while it occurred to me and it was loads of fun. I said that I was the sticker fairy and was going to give them a blessing and said some gobbledey gook words, pretending to wave a magic wand. They appreciated it, were so tired from lack of sleep and open to some laughter.
Let us be thankful for the great good that is being done around the world. The media loves to thrust negative stories down our throats and I say, let’s hear about and share more positive, uplifting things that are happening all over the world.
For myself it was a big effort getting up early to be there and was quite a stretch after a busy week. Yet I left feeling over the moon with positive vibes flowing through my system after sharing the laughter, the joy and walking for nearly an hour with them. I would have stayed longer but had to go to do laughter again with the Ferntree Gully Laughter Club. They also benefited, because I was on a high from laughing and I continued the high energy, giving them all fairy sticker blessings and we had an excellent laughter yoga session.
Love to you all.
Blessings and Joy. xxx ooo