Photo By Dustin Senger | Cancer survivor U.S. Army Lt. Col. Flossie Lomax of Utica, N.Y., and Air Force Staff...... read more read more
CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – American Cancer Society volunteers were honored June 24, during an appreciation luncheon at Camp As Sayliyah. A 42-person committee from the Army base and nearby Al Udeid Air Base organized the first Relay for Life at U.S. military installations in Qatar.
The committee of U.S. service members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors began the 12-hour cancer awareness activity at 7 p.m., June 8, using a running trail at Camp As Sayliyah. Overnight hours avoided the hot, humid daytime temperatures in Qatar, which were exceeding 100-degrees Fahrenheit.
More than 400 participants – cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters – from U.S. and coalition forces joined the relay, according to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Flossie Lomax of Utica, N.Y., who coordinated the event in cooperation with the Relay for Life Florida Division.
“It was such a unique opportunity for us to partner with the military in Qatar,” said Danielle Dodman, Relay for Life Florida Division director. “They’re protecting our freedoms while making a difference in the lives of cancer patients. We’re more than happy to keep supporting military installations.”
Dodman hopes everyone involved in the Relay for Life in Qatar brings their involvement and awareness back to their hometown communities.
“It was a really special night,” said Lomax, who remains outwardly excited more than two weeks later. “Even when people weren’t walking anymore, they stayed at our campsite just to stick around.” A community activity center offered a respite venue packed with pillows and refreshments. “They were sleeping, playing cards and talking outside.”
Lomax survived a diagnosis of cervical cancer in 1990 after chemotherapy and surgery. She participated in her first Relay for Life in 1991 with hundreds of students at Thomas R. Proctor High School in Utica. The hometown event changed her life, she says.
“This is how I celebrate my birthdays now,” said Lomax, while standing in front of the volunteers during the luncheon at the Qatar base. “Say ‘happy birthday’ to all our survivors with us today – this is why we relay.”
In January, Lomax reported for duty at Camp As Sayliyah, a materiel organization and distribution hub located along the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. She had just completed a five-year assignment with Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., where she attended a Relay for Life in Tampa each year.
“I talked to Tampa and said I wanted to do a relay here too,” said Lomax, recalling an e-mail to the Relay for Life in March. “I just wanted to get a couple shirts.” She received much more.
The Relay for Life Florida Division showered Lomax with hundreds of organizational shirts, as well as banners, posters, key chains, pens, tablets, bracelets and other memorabilia. They provided numerous community awareness ideas and kept in close contact.
“People from different units started to offer help,” said Lomax. “I said ‘this is going to be much bigger than we originally thought.’” The committee matured from less than 10 in April to more than 20 in May. By the time a luminaria ceremony initiated the relay, more than 40 volunteers were helping out.
"I appreciate the Army recognizing cancer survivors and their caregivers," said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Cotton of McDonough, Ga., who was one of several cancer survivors opening the relay. Cotton was celebrating nearly three years remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He shared his story during a closing ceremony.
"It's important to raise awareness all over the world," said breast cancer survivor Ellie LeBaron, wife of the U.S. ambassador to Qatar, prior to the relay. "It reminds people to get checked and check themselves. Many cancers can be treated effectively if detected early. Cancer is not a death sentence – people do survive.”
The Relay for Life is the world's largest movement to end cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. The society, headquartered in Atlanta, estimates more than 3.5 million people from thousands of communities gather for the global activity each year.
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2010 17:18 |
| Story ID: | 51917 |
| Location: | CAMP AS SALIYAH, QA |
| Web Views: | 545 |
| Downloads: | 365 |
This work, Volunteers honored after first Relay for Life in Qatar, by Dustin Senger, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT