Relay For Life®

Though I have been donating money to various cancer funds and to friends or students who have done cancer walks before, I've never had the opportunity to be personally involved in an event. I did volunteer to help with one of the Susan Komen events last year but was rejected as a volunteer, which I did find upsetting. I had already sent them money. This year, my campus is sponsoring the first Relay For Life at Broward Community College. I was asked to be one of the faculty sponsors. I am also the captain for the Student Publications Team since I have been the faculty advisor for the literary/art magazine for the past 18 years. Because this is somewhat of a last-minute thing, planning (to me) seems somewhat haphazard and will go right down to the wire. It is a good cause, though, so we are doing our best to make this a good event. The fund-raising goal for the event is $30,000, which is quite ambitious. Because it is our first time, it will be a 12 hour event rather than a 24 hour event. I imagine I'll be out there all 12 hours. It isn't about distance or time on the track but just being part of the event. Many activities are scheduled. A complete list of events and more information are available on the website. I am, of course, doing this to honor the memory of my late wife, Alberta Mary Ellingham, whom I lost in 2005. I have set up a personal page for anyone who wants to make a donation. I've already achieved my goal as I made a donation for my wife and my friend, Vicki Hendricks, who also made a donation.

I am looking forward to this.



My wife and I when we visited my daughter in Boston. This was Boston Harbor.