Patch Editor Caps Big Weekend

(Editor's note: Derek Wilson, editor of Larkspur-Corte Madera Patch, has been documenting his challenges with cancer through a weekly column called . Here is an update he shared following his participation as guest speaker last weekend at the , an American Cancer Society Fundraiser at San Jose Middle School).

Mrs. Doubtfire is back! Well, an unreasonable facsimile at least.

There's little doubt these men are not the most attractive ladies, but they certainly shared a lot of love.

Congratulations to Kandi Blomquist and her crew with the Relay for Life for creating such a wonderful event on Saturday and Sunday, which included a parade of men (myself included) in colorful bras, wigs and lipstick.

I hadn't slept the night before because of a pinched nerve, but after a trip to see the doctor and a shot of anti-inflammatory meds, I was ready to go. And thank goodness I was able to join the fun and splendor of the Relay for Life at Novato's San Jose Middle School. Rarely have I had so much fun for such a good cause.

I realized as I walked around the track, collecting beads for every mile, how safe I felt, how comforted I was, within this courageous group of cancer fighters. I wanted to tell everyone, old friends and new acquaintance alike, how important they are to me.

Kandi started the day with an emotional and honest speech that reminded all of us why we continue to gather and to fight back against cancer. We march on for those who continue in their own battle against cancer and for those who have lost their battles.

Each day we remember the people we've loved, those we've lost and those who make every day special.

Every day we celebrate the simple fact that we are alive. We celebrate the love we are given and the love we share.

And every day we fight back against something that tries to frighten us, to force us into submission, to steal the light from our lives. And every day that we can smile is a victory for us.

I've never worn a bra before, but I was honored to strap on a classy red-and-black number for a good cause. I tried to decorate it tastefully with little puffballs, ribbon and LOTS of glitter. With a lavender bucket in hand, I went around the track soliciting donations, offering dollar dances, begging, anything to raise money. Together, the bra band raised around $500.

The word from Kandi is our local organization has raised $120,000 so far this year. Contributions are always welcome and support is always important.

There will be another Relay for Life event at College of Marin's Kentfield campus on Aug. 27.

Thank you, Kandi, for making this such an amazing weekend. This amazing woman surprised Tracy and me with a huge and delicious wedding cake from True Confections of Berkeley on Saturday. It was a great lead-in to the big day Sunday, when we tied the knot in front of 30,000 race fans at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.

This was truly the most amazing and deeply moving weekend I've ever felt and I'm glad I was able to share it with everyone, especially those closest to me.

Cancer will always be a part of our lives, but so will everyone who has supported us, shared their stories with us and opened their hearts to us as we all fight this demon cancer.