The story

On Friday evening five (somewhat) eager and (definitely) weary college students came together on the UConn campus to form the team formerly known as The Life Savers. The idea first started in the head of a Ms. Danyel and was passed on to Ms. Jacqueline who then recruited me to the team. I, in turn, recruited Scott (because he is my bitch) and Ms. D and Ms. J recruited a fine fellow by the name of Brendan. It was an exciting idea, one that none of us had done before. And while we were excited, not one of us could predict what the night would hold. Many hours were spent by most of the team raising money, buying provisions to last us through the 18 hour walk, and scrutinizing what exactly would go down Friday evening.

Scott and I got to UConn around 5, the time that the Relay was supposed to start. However, as it turns out, it actually didn’t start until 7. This was a good thing because it gave us time to set up our campsite and get to know the area. Scott and I had to make an unexpected run to Wal Mart (ick!) to buy a tent because the tent Ms. J borrowed from Jakub’s parents turned out to be broken. But that was okay because we bought the coolest tent, which is actually 3 tents all joined together.

After setting everything up and unpacking it was soon 7 and the walk was about to start. It was a great feeling and very sad knowing that we were going to be making this huge demonstration of fighting cancer. For the first few hours our whole team walked together telling jokes and laughing and just doing things to pass the time. However, after the 4 hour mark passed things started to take an unexpected turn. Since no one really wanted to delegate shifts on who gets to walk at what time people started to burn out very rapidly. Now, to do Relay for Life with just a 5 person team is a HUGE feat! Normally the teams are made up of 10-12 people. I didn’t know that until after. And, let me tell you, it would have been very helpful to know!

Scott and I walked until 2am and as we were going back into the tent to see if Ms. J and Ms. D were still sleeping I kneeled on something really sharp. At this point I burst into tears because I couldn’t take it anymore, I was hungry (I got literally the LAST piece of pizza a few hours before), tired, and I had at least 3 blisters on the bottom of my feet. I know what you’re thinking. What a wimp. I know, I know. People who have cancer are fighting every single day, rain or shine. Oh, I forgot to mention that the weather was cold and rainy and miserable. So anyway, at this point I just crawled to my pillow and slept. Slept way past my alarm for 3am and woke up at 4am.

Anyway, to make a long story short, the Relay for Life didn’t go quite as we had expected. We ended up packing up our things around 5am because we were all cold and tired and definitely hungry and our feet were a’hurtin!!! I do feel really badly about quitting halfway through, but I do feel good knowing that I did the most important part– I raised almost $400 for the American Cancer Society. To me, that is more important in fighting cancer than me and three other people walking around on a sidewalk for 18 hours. Right? Hopefully.

The funniest part about this story was that, according to UConn sources, the Relay for Life got broken up by the cops around 9am due to excessive noise. Pretty funny, eh? I think so.

In any case, I want to thank all of the people that donated and sponsored me and the Life Savers. You all helped us to raise a lot of money that went directly to the ACS and is helping to fight and, hopefully, eliminate cancer. Thank you!

All things considered, it was a good time. I walked for 7 hours and came out feeling good (for the most part) about myself and my team. So, thank you team formerly known as The Life Savers! Hopefully next year we can rally more people to have a bigger team and actually walk for the entire time.

I think there’s nothing wrong with that.

Praise Jesus

I have always wished that sometimes I could be a black Baptist person just so I can say "Praise Jesus!" Alas, it hasn't happened yet. I'm still waiting.

But the real reason for the praise today is that the other day I raised $300 for cancer research through Relay for Life. One of my cousins made the donation that allowed me to reach my goal. I couldn't be more excited!

Next weekend is the walk and I think it's going to be a great time. I'm scared that I am going to be too emotional though. You'll see me, I'll be the girl walking around the track and sobbing. But anyway, I'm going to try to control myself and focus on all the good things that the Relay for Life is accomplishing. 

I have upped my goal to $400 so please, please if you have some change in your bank account that you could spare please donate it. We all know someone who battles cancer, so don't pretend that you don't.

Let that be the good thing you do for the day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, you'll never know how much it means to me. 

Here’s the deal

I’ve been thinking really hard about how I can raise the rest of the money for Relay for Life. Are you sick of hearing about it yet? Well, if you are I don’t care. I will shut up about it once I have raised $300. This is what I came up with:

I am willing to advertise your personal announcements on simplysassy if you make a donation, however large or small, to my Relay for Life page. For donations over $5 I will include a picture.

Possible reasons for wanting to advertise on simplysassy.wordpress.com:

1. You are selling your pet/house/car/sibling. One persons trash is anothers treasure, remember that.
2. You want to tell someone that you love them.
3. You want to propose to someone.
4. You would like to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, bar/bat mitzvah, new job, etc.
5. You’re in a play and want to get the word out.
6. You’re doing Relay for Life, too, and need to raise money.
7. ANY other reasons you have just leave me a comment or send me an email at jensarnoldAThotmailDOTcom

The goal is almost reached!

I’m so excited to say that my donation goal for Relay for Life is almost reached. So far, I have raised $225 out of my goal of $300. This is a great cause and all money raised goes directly to the American Cancer Society. Stay tuned for more information on the Relay, which is April 7th-8th, including photos and stories.

I appreciate all of your help. Please click here to donate.

Apparently

The link that I posted for my Relay for Life page is not the real link. Hopefully this link will bring you to my donation page.

Sorry!

Dear Readers

All of our lives have been touched by at least one person who is struggling with their fight against cancer. This is a fight that they cannot do alone. Because this is something I feel very strongly about I have decided to take part in the Relay for Life at UConn in April. I’m so excited about doing this because it’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for so many years.

I want to raise as much money as possible to donate to the American Cancer Society and I can’t do that without your help. Many of you, myself included, don’t have that much money but I am asking you to please donate whatever you can; even the smallest amounts all add up to make a difference.

Thank you in advance for all of your help!

Click here to visit my donation page.