The Milford Review - Milford LIVE!

The Year InReview The Year InReview The Year InReview The Year InReviewRelay For Life Hits MilfordBy Bryan Shupe, June 15, 2012With 427 participants, 33 teams and $78,230raised before the opening ceremonies began, thisyear’s 13th annual Relay for Life event at the MIlfordMiddle School was a huge success.The Relay for Life event helps individuals by showingthem that comfort, healing and support can befound by sharing with others who have experiencedcancer in some form in their lives; directly or throughloved ones.Opening the evening sharing her emotional anduplifting story, Cindy Eldred told of her family’sbattle with her husband’s lung cancer and the continuedfight for her own life when she was diagnosedwith kidney cancer just three months after his death.“All I could think about after my husband’s deathis how am I going to survive this,” stated Mrs. Eldred.“I longed to take his place because I could notbear the loss.”With the support of her colleagues and the unconditionallove of her sister, Cindy found the strengthto accept the passing of her husband. Three monthsafter her husband Tom died, Cindy became a victimof cancer herself and now found herself fighting forher own life.“I kept coming back to my husband’slife and legacy for strength,”stated Cindy. “I kept hearing himsay ‘I am not afraid’. I am eternallygrateful to have survived andstill endure the loss. I have a freshperspective on life and the knowingthat I am blessed.”The Milford Relay began withthe traditional Survivors Lap,where survivors led the wayaround the track while participantshonored them with applause.The survivors lap helpssurvivors realize their accomplishmentsand celebrate what theyhave overcome. The lap also gives hope and inspirationto others by proving that cancer can be beat.The Relay for Life event offers opportunities forparticipants to meet others who are as equally passionateabout finding a cure for cancer, thank peoplewho have helped with personal cancer experiencesand make new, lasting friendships and memories.This year’s event marked another successful campaignby local residents in the fight against canceras they raised over $80,000 and shared their storiesin support of finding a cure. For the Relay for Lifeteams, preparations for next year’s events have alreadybegun as they aim to increase awareness andsupport until their is a cure for cancer.