It feels odd to pair the words cancer and party, but when you're referring to a fundraiser, it fits. The Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It's an opportunity to get together with family and friends and celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back in the hope of finding a cure.

This fun, fulfilling and inspirational 12-hour overnight event is a chance to take back some of the power stolen from so many of us by this terrible disease.

"Cancer does not sleep, so neither do we. Relay For Life starts at dusk and ends at the next day's morning. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotions, and mental state of a cancer patient while undergoing treatment.

Relay starts when the sun is going down. This symbolizes the time that a person has been diagnosed with cancer. The day is getting darker and this represents the cancer patient's state of mind as they feel that their life may be coming to an end. Just as darkness brings an uncertainty of what the night will hold, being diagnosed brings a feeling of uncertainty.

As the evening progresses it usually gets cooler, darker and quieter, just as the emotions of the cancer patient do. Around 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. represents the time when the cancer patient starts treatment. They become exhausted, sick, not wanting to go on, possibly wanting to give up. As participants walk or run, they also are tired, perhaps feeling a bit weaker and not wanting to go on. But just as cancer does not sleep, neither do we.

The sun rising represents the end of treatment for the cancer patient. They see the light at the end of their tunnel and know that life will go on. They are still tired, but the morning light brings an excitement about looking ahead to the future. Participants are tired, but know that the end of Relay is nearing and that they still have many great days ahead of them."

My strong and fabulous friend Shelley and I walked together in The Weekend To End Women's Cancers and now she is heading a team for The Relay for Life in Oakville on May 31st at Appleby College.

Shelley says, "People think you have to walk all night long, but there are so many activities going on that people take turns walking the track. It's a lot of fun and it's a chance to celebrate, to remember and to fight back."

If you are interested in learning more visit the Relay For Life Website.

If you live west of the GTA, Shelley is hosting a Relay Kick Off on February 21st at 7pm in Oakville. Details on the Oakville relay page. Come on out if you'd like to find out more about the Relay.

REMEMBER: There is NO finish line until we find a cure...