An experience to remember: Light the Way To a Cure event

While traveling through New England en route for Canada last week, I came upon a cancer vigil/ceremony on the Bar Harbor Village Green in Bar Harbor, Maine. Upon further investigation, I found out the event was called Light The Way to a Cure and is connected to the Relay for Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society.

The Light The Way to a Cure is an alternative to walking in the Relay for Life. It came to be 14 years ago in Bar Harbor to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer, are fighting it or have beaten this horrific disease by making written luminaries. The names are read in between live music performed by a popular local duo.

By the time I arrived, there must have been 200 luminaries on the ground lining the Village Green walkways. You would think a benefit of this nature might be filled with sad people but it was quite the opposite. I talked to several people who placed luminaries on the green and it was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life, and as it turns out, I was the one losing it while those who had been affected by cancer were showing inhuman strength in celebration of those close to them.

The official name of the event is The 14th Annual Carol Dyer Memorial “Light the Way to a Cure” Luminaria Evening benefitting the American Cancer Society. When Carol Dyer lost her battle with brain cancer in 2001, her friends decided to help their grieving by planning an event that would honor her by helping others get at least a fighting chance.

One of the organizers, Gail Leiser, offered the following, "Light the Way to a Cure is an evening to remember for those who have been affected by cancer in every way, shape and form. Luminaries displaying the names of cancer victims and survivors, available for $10 each before and during the event, illuminate the Bar Harbor Village Green. This event has raised over $75,000 since 2001."

Just before I left, I walked up to a group of people enjoying the music being played by Peter and David Lundquist. Two of them were from the Bar Harbor area and twelve were from various places to include Chicago, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Dallas. All of them were elated to just happen to run into this event. Great memories were shared by this group as they each told stories of their lost loved ones. I wasn't interviewing but I remember the couple from Milwaukee who told of their late friend being an avid mountain climber that had made it a goal to climb the highest peak in every state starting on the east coast. He was finished with the lower 48 when he became stricken with cancer. One in the group mentioned that it was a shame he didn't get to climb the highest peak in the country...to which they boasted their friend is at the highest peak anyone could hope to climb in eternity.

I mentioned before that I had lost it...it was at this point when that happened.

This is an event that we here in The Woodlands should have a variation of. The Woodlands was made possible by some great thinkers who have brought ideas from established communities around the world. Well, here's one we should take note of. All of us have been affected by cancer in some way. We should come up with a person(s) we have lost in this community to cancer and honor them while raising money to help others have a fighting chance.

How about Market Street?

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