Queen Creek Cancer Relay for Life

Between the hours of 6PM April 23rd and 6:30 AM April 24th the Queen Creek Cancer Relay for Life was held this year. I was privileged to be asked to photograph the event and was happy to accept. It involved an all-nighter and taking lots of photographs, but the fun and joy of the event was sufficient incentive to have a great time.

It was heartening to be part of this event that is celebrated by those who are cancer survivors and sentimental for those who have lost loved ones to this disease. I heard some numbers associated with how much money for cancer research was raised by this worthy event - and it was quite a large number. If you have a chance to become involved in an event like this in your town, it's well worth missing a night of sleep.

We got in this morning and went right to bed around 7AM or so. Couldn't sleep too long and was up around 11AM and went right in to check out the photos. I'll be posting some of them here over the next few days as I go through them.

As always, click the thumbnail to enlarge the image.


This kite enthusiast entertained us late in the afternoon and into the darkness hours. We had blustery winds which took the temperatures down and made it a two blanket night.

The Luminaria Walk is a time for survivors and family members to silently walk the track and remember those who lost their struggle with cancer. The track is lined with the names of loved ones no longer with us. Participants carry colored glow sticks which can be seen slowly filing past the luminaria posted as memorials to family and friends.

It's 2:55 AM and a few of the volunteers are walking their laps. It was unusually cold so those walking were bundled up in heavy jackets; some were wrapped in multiple blankets to ward off the chill. The walking continued throughout the night.

"Cure" is what it's all about. This shot is of the survivors and supporters walking silently by the luminaria in remembrance of those who succumbed to this disease.