The first day of summer couldn't have been prettier. June 20 was a sunny, 75-degree day with low humidity at the Western Regional Park. It was a day perfect for walking, hoping and remembering. A day that brought out about 550 people for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, which began at 5 p.m. and ended at 7:30 a.m. the following day. A day for raising money and awareness to help find a cure for cancer.

From a distance, the event had the look and feel of a festival. The Hula Monsters band played for the crowd. Luminary lanterns decorated the walkways. Tents and lawn chairs filled the park. In one big tent, there was a silent auction with sports memorabilia and many other items for sale.

Various organized teams had their own, unique methods of raising money. One team from the Jennings Chapel United Methodist Church had a duck pond for toddlers to try their luck at winning prizes. Team "Bernice's Buddies" organized a lemonade stand and another team organized a snow cone stand. Other teams like the Howard County Library encouraged their staff members to participate by providing a cookout. Jaye Holly, the Library Team captain, was serving up hot dogs, hamburgers and bbq with a smile. Bigger companies like Edy's Ice Cream provided free ice cream to everyone, and Matt Stover, of the Ravens, was there to autograph the purple commemorative bows being sold. Sponsors of Relay For Life included the Glenwood Senior Center, the Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks, Glenwood Lions Club, Caviar Catering, Mt Hermon Lodge #179, Circle D Farms, Glenwood Gardens, Sun Nurseries, The Good Stuff and many volunteers.

Betty Frey, event chair, was happy with the big turnout. She and many others spent almost a year organizing and preparing for this relay. Bernice Rutledge, named honorary chairperson by Jason Copley of the American Cancer Society, organized the Survivor's Dinner, to which 82 people attended. Rutledge also made the Relay Quilt, which was auctioned for a healthy sum of $625. Sen. Allan Kittleman, a Republican from West Friendship, called it an "unique event." Kittleman was there to support his mother who is a survivor, and to honor his lost friend Doug Parker. Keynote speaker Ray Young told the personal story of the loss of his son to cancer. He said, "We do Relay to celebrate you, remember loved ones lost, and to fight back."

As I walked along, I could hear families chat about their loved ones suffering from various types of cancer and the challenges they were going through. There was no denying the hardships that many experienced, but there was comfort in commiserating and understanding one another.

To help one understand and cope with the challenges of an illness is the reason why support groups have formed. Of the numerous groups available, the Living With Cancer support group meets at the senior center, and will have its next meeting Sept. 11 at 1 p.m., and meet every second Thursday of the month in following months. All ages are welcome.

Offering support and compassion to those in need was one famous woman, Clara Barton. Barton defied social conventions and risked her life in order to help others, thus becoming a true heroine. A presentation entitled "Clara Barton -- Red Cross Angel," part of the Civil War series, will take place July 16 at 10 a.m. at the center. The presenter will be Mary Ann Jung, who has appeared on national television and in newspapers around the world. She has been a lead actress and director of Renaissance History and Shakespearean Language at the Maryland Renaissance Festival for 26 years. Reservations are required; free admission.

E-mail Shyami Codippily Murphy at shyami1@comcast.net.

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