Attending the Relay for Life was an awe inspiring experience. Having been brought up in a generation that whispered the word "cancer" and called it "the C-word" rather than talk about it - today having cancer is no longer a death sentence and the glory of it all is that people are open and direct in talking about it.

Hearing the stories of people who faced cancer and how they have survived gives us great hope in that when faced with a similar situation we already have a game plan. Now we know you are not alone - we are prepared to see a pathway to follow and we can feel confident that there can be success at the end of the difficult road.

Most important in talking to people at the Relay for Life was the reminder that the key to life saving procedures is early detection. We are lucky at this time in the world that knowledge is increasing and we have so many tools for maintaining good health. We are constantly identifying what to avoid and what to do to keep healthy.

But, best of all, was seeing the joy and spirit of celebration on the faces of the survivors and their families. They have passed through a dark time in their lives and come out into the sunshine with a greater appreciation of the wonderful possibilities for life.

Let us hope that each one of us, when faced with life's challenges will find this kind of support. If it is not there - remember it is your job to find it or create it. The one thing we are learning about health is to take charge of it, and to be a partner with our doctors to keep on a life-affirming path.

Be aware, be well and prosper. And as part of that plan, it doesn't hurt to give some support to the American Cancer Society to ensure that when you need it - it is there for you.

And, most of all, thank you to organizers/fund raisers Robin Dando and Sharon Woodstock and all the team leaders who worked to make the great evening possible. That includes the OB-EN administrators. Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Harrington was working at the booths, Tom Gould created a PowerPoint presentation for Anthony Petrovic and Oyster Bay High School Principal Dennis O'Hara was enjoying himself taking photographs of the event, as was Mr. Gould. We are sure photographs of the evening will be shown at the school. More pictures will also be in next week's issue of the Oyster Bay Enterprise Pilot. - DFK