A TRIBUTE TO HOPE

Residents of the Yuma, AZ area turned out in force this week to "thumb their nose" at cancer at the Relay For Life held at the Desert Sun stadium which was packed. Leading the parade were the many cancer survivors bolstered by their friends and family. They were joined by caring and compassionate people from throughout the area who wanted to show support for the fight against the dreaded disease by walking around the track and/or helping in one of the fund-raising booths. Many tears were shed at the wall of victims as well as many happy thoughts of times past with loved ones and friends. Both survivors and victims were remembered with luminarias which lined the track and filled the

bleachers. From the distance one could see a set of luminarias on the bleachers which spelled out a word used often by those standing up against cancer: HOPE. It was an emotional but beneficial event, one I'll remember and hopefully take part in next year.