Last modified: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 2:20 AM EDT KESSLER: Why run relay? Because so many can't... By LARRY KESSLER Ten years is a long time to be committed to anything, let alone a massive fundraiser involving thousands of people either participating or volunteering. And the fact that I plan on walking and jogging the track at North Attleboro High School this weekend, along with hundreds who have been a part of all 11 Relays For Life for the American Cancer Society held there, is a humbling experience. Sure, the faces of the organizing committee members have changed over the years, though I still remember those who pioneered the event. I didn't get involved that first year, but was made co-captain of The Sun Chronicle's small, but spirited, team the second year, in 2000, and I was team captain for a number of years after that. I have mainly been a team member the last few years, but my commitment to returning each year, while wavering at times due to conflicting demands on my time, has never broken. My desire to return stems from a lot of reasons, but none more pressing than the ultimate one: The need to find a cure for cancer, which despite much progress, remains one of the more sinister and democratic diseases. As I've pointed out before, cancer is a non-denominational disease that thrives on attacking everyone regardless of race, religion, ethnic background or professional standing. Professional athletes are just as apt to get cancer as anyone else. Those afflicted with cancer in recent years have included, for instance, Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel, former New England Patriot Joe Andruzzi, figure skater Scott Hamilton and cyclist Lance Armstrong. In addition, celebrities, blue-collar and white-collar workers have all been touched by cancer. Kids have been victims of cancer for so long that the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund was started more than a half-century ago. It is to the credit of hundreds of thousands of donors and volunteers that the Jimmy Fund's fine work continues to make a major difference in the fight against cancer. Cancer's pervasiveness is, of course, one of the main reasons why the Relays For Life began a quarter-century ago, and it's why the relays' 25th anniversary will be marked at this weekend's events at North Attleboro and Mansfield high schools, as well as at next weekend's event at Foxboro's Gillette Stadium. The volunteer committees at each relay - as pointed out in The Sun Chronicle's coverage of these events on Monday's Community pages - have planned a number of activities, but nothing brings home the relays' intent and deep meaning to so many like two signature activities: the opening lap to kick off the events by cancer survivors and the lighting of the luminaries - candles lit in memory of cancer victims and in honor of survivors. It is the enduring memory of those past luminary ceremonies that will draw me back for my 10th year at a time when I was hesitant to do so, because it wasn't a particularly propitious time to hit up people for donations. But, to my surprise and lasting gratitude, what I found was that people have been so touched by this insidious disease that they readily agreed to give what they could to buy a candle or two to honor their loved ones - even during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. That generosity is the hallmark of the Relay For Life, and it's why I plan to stroll the track slowly on Friday night, as I try to search for my luminaries. That is a time to meditate, and to honor the lives of survivors and memories of loved ones. My donors' willingness to give is also why I'll stare in awe as the lights are dimmed and survivors walk in the dark among the newly-lit luminaries. If you don't get goose bumps from that scene, you are incapable of feelings. Ultimately, of course, it's those fighting cancer and the survivors who keep the relay veterans coming back. Those brave folks are why I hope to jog laps around the track early Saturday morning on a weekend that finds me with multiple commitments. To paraphrase Descartes, I run, because so many can't. See you on the track. LARRY KESSLER, a Sun Chronicle local news editor, can be reached at lkessler@thesunchronicle.com.