From the Holland camp, this year's Relay for Life was a huge success. Prior to gearing up and heading out for the 12 hour event, Lance Holland received the news that his second scan since the Whipple Procedure was clear of all signs of cancer. Though Dr. Barve indicated that the scan showed some swelling and irritation of his stomach from the surgery, all that Lance heard was that "you have no more cancer".
This was awesome news heading into the Relay for Life event which eventually surpassed $127,000 in fundraising efforts; over $15,000 of which coming from the two Regal Realtors teams participating in honor of Lance Holland, Cissi Scott, and Tammi Osborn. Friends, family, and colleagues gathered for the long haul underneath a 20 by 20 tent decorated with their theme, "Derby Riders for the Cure"; a tribute to the 136th Kentucky Derby to be run on Saturday. The team displayed southern derby cuisine, sweet tea, and dessert for all of the nearly 700 event-wide participants to share. They even "took the cake"; literally. The team won 1st and 3rd place in the cake decorating contest with top honors going to Allie Miller of the team "Regal Winner".
Overall, the event was a great opportunity for Rockwall Community residents to gather together for a common cause that effects so many of them and do something great to help out. The payoff; watching the opening lap of the event where hundreds of purple t-shirts rounded the track leaving nothing behind them except the phrase on the back of their shirts. "SURVIVOR".
Justin A. Holland
May 8, 2010
