On Friday July 10th, the youth group of Sant Nirankari Mission – Chicago participated in Relay for Life which is American Cancer Society’s fundraising event to help raise awareness of cancer and raise money to fight back.

The name of our team was Universal Brotherhood. The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life represents the “hope” that those loved ones lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated. Relay for Life is a life-changing experience for every participant. At Relay, every person in the community has a chance to celebrate, remember, and fight back. We celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and the strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight. We remember loved ones lost to the disease, and people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing. We fight back because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease. And every person who participates joins others around the globe as part of this worldwide movement to end cancer. This event is a 12-hour activity in which team members and their supporters help raise money and walk various laps around the track to show their support.

This year the youth group of Sant Nirankari Mission Chicago participated in Relay for Life that took place at Alexian Field/Flyer’s Stadium in Schaumburg, IL. The team took part in various themed laps to show their support towards the event and join the battle against cancer like many other participants. Relay for Life event also includes a ceremony known as “Luminaria Ceremony of Hope” to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and have lived to tell their stories, and to remember the lives of those who have been lost to this disease. This ceremony takes place after the sunset where the night is brightened by the glow of illuminated bags, each of which has a special meaning. The teams walk/run laps around the track remembering their loved ones and survivors. Our team dedicated this lap to our most beloved Professor Joginder S. Puri, lovingly known as “Darji” and Mrs. Krishna Bajaj also known as “Dadima Bajaj”.

A total of 81 teams participated in this event and American Cancer Society raised a total of $140,000. All the funds raised in this event help in numerous ways like providing treatments to cancer patients who may not be able to afford it, providing transportation to patients so they can get to the hospital/clinic for chemotherapy, conducting researches in labs, etc.

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