While this is currently in the new with the passing of Patrick Swayze, I just happened to volunteer for a race last Saturday raising money for the Pancreatic Cancer Network.  I've always been interested in volunteering for a race - mostly because I often am frustrated with how things have been organized in races that I've participated in.  I wasn't involved in the planning or logistics for the race, but helped man a water station along the route of a 10K and 5K.

I learned about this race through Jason's cousin who sadly lost a close friend to pancreatic cancer last year.  Actually, their friend participated in the race last November.  This year they were part of a team raising money in honor of their late friend.   I have to admit I didn't know much about this form of cancer until I read stuff that he and his wife sent out.  Because pancreatic cancer is so hard to detect, most people are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease.  75% of people with pancreatic cancer die within one year and there's only a 5% survival rate at 5 years.  It's really awful.  It makes me think of Jason's dad who went from his diagnosis to death within a matter of weeks. No one is immune to cancer and it's frightening to think it could happen to anyone - regardless of age or current health. 

During the race I was really moved by all the participants wearing t-shirts or signs with pictures of a loved one that had succumbed to this awful disease.  I've participated in lots of race and most of them support a charity, but this race was different.  So many people were personally affect by the cause.  I guess part of my perception was due to not actually running in the race, so I was more of an observer.  Anyway, it felt good to be a part of an event that meant so much to participants.

It really reminded me of how rewarding volunteering can be.  With all the traveling we've been doing it's been hard to get involved, but something like this just required a few hours on a Saturday morning.  I think most of the volunteering opportunities I'm attracted to are long term commitments, but this opened my eyes to new ways of donating my time to causes.