Relay for Life successful event

First, a medical update: The scan of my neck came back negative, meaning that the abnormal cells on my tongue are self-contained.

Now I just have to deal with removal of a small area on the surface of my tongue, or as someone near and dear to me calls it, my tongue removal, under general anesthesia on May 31. Speak now, or forever...

I also wanted to report that Joe organized a successful Relay for Life event that took place Friday at Bates College.

About 15 teams raised close to $17,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society. Joe captained the Bates Men's Hockey Team; donations are still being accepted through his personal fund-raising page.

Here's how the American Cancer Society describes its signature fund-raising event:

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

After dark, we honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence. As people take time to remember, those who have walked alongside others battling cancer can grieve and find healing.