A lot has changed for Todd Hitz since receiving Hershey Medical Center's first bone marrow transplant 13 years ago.
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Treatments led to heart trouble and open heart surgery in 2004, forcing the Mount Joy resident and his wife, Krissy, to move into a single-story house because of the condition of Hitz's lungs.
This also forced him to work from home for the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, and whenever he travels, Hitz has to wear a mask over his mouth.
But Hitz, now 38, is not complaining. The most important thing to him is that he's still alive.
"I've learned you don't stop living with passion and enthusiasm, and not to worry about whether this is your last day or not," Hitz said. "It's given me a unique perspective on life."
Hitz's inspirational story and his ongoing work in raising awareness for cancer research made him an honorary chairman for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Elizabethtown this weekend.
It runs from 3 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Elizabethtown Fair Grounds, 900 E. High St., Elizabethtown.
E-town's event is one of thousands just like it being held across the world. Lancaster will host its own Relay this weekend as well, from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday at Conestoga Valley High School, 2110 Horseshoe Valley Road.
Next weekend, the Relay moves to Ephrata and Cocalico, starting at 6 p.m. June 19 at Garden Spot High School, 669 E. Main St., New Holland, and concluding at 6 p.m. June 20.
Southern Lancaster County will also hold a Relay from 4 p.m. July 17 to 4 p.m. July 18 at Solanco Fairgrounds, 299 Park Ave., Quarryville.
Relay for Life is a walk/run featuring teams of volunteers who trade time on and off the track for 24 straight hours, illustrating that cancer never sleeps. It started 25 years ago with a lone participant and has grown into worldwide event that has raised more than $400 million for the ACS.
"There have been so many advancements in the technology to fight cancer between 1993 and now, and that's all a result of what these people do throughout the country," Hitz said.
ACS community income development specialist Julie Strickland said 32 Relays have been or will be held in the Lancaster area this year. Community Relays are typically held from the end of May until October.
Local colleges also held Relay events from March to May, including Elizabethtown College, Millersville University, Franklin & Marshall College and Lebanon Valley College.
Most Relays for Life operate the same way. Ceremonies begin with a survivor/caregiver lap, in which every cancer survivor and his or her caregiver walks around the path.
After that, the teams take their turns, with a representative from each organization remaining on the course for the next 24 hours.
"The people in the teams, those people really make a difference," Krissy Hitz said. "The effort and work they put in to raise that money is awesome."
Throughout the day, Relays hold certain themed laps to keep the walkers' spirits lively. Events like the "Superhero Lap," "Disney Characters Lap," and "Pajama Lap" mix up the monotony of jogging for a full day.
Carnivals go on throughout the day to keep spectators entertained. The Lancaster Relay has bands scheduled to play throughout the weekend, not to mention teen soccer games starting at 1 a.m.
"It's really like a big sleepover outside," Strickland said.
At night, the lights turn down for the more serious "Luminaria Lap." Candles are placed in bags with the names of cancer victims or survivors written on them. The luminarias then stand around the track, lighting the way for the relayers.
The recognition and fundraising the volunteers give cancer victims stand out for Todd Hitz, especially during the "Luminaria Lap."
"It's such a great honor to have people do this for you," Hitz said.
Staff writer Dan Rorabaugh can be reached at drorabaugh@LNPnews.com or 481-6020.
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