Rain Doesn’t Stop Crusaders for a Cure

Days prior to this year’s Truckers Parade Against Cancer found organizers studying the weather forecast pretty closely. Would the rain and clouds clear or would the parade need to be postponed to Sunday? The large tents were put up on Thursday while everyone was looking for a sign the weather would improve. As the weekend drew closer, the decision was made to “roll on” in spite of the drizzly rain.

And roll on they did as 133 trucks filed into 471 Nollie Road in Phenix, Va. The misty rain may have dampened the clothing and trucks, but certainly not the spirits of the truckers, supporters, cancer survivors and their families as they braved the weather to support the largest Truckers Parade ever.

This year marks the 13th year of the Truck Parade and its success continues to amaze founders, Sheila and Darrin Jones. “It is incredible to watch all these people come together year after year,” stated Mrs. Jones. The parade has survived and thrived even during some of the country’s tougher economic times. It would appear that cancer has affected everyone participating in some way or another and this is one way to show solidarity in the fight against cancer.

Each truck carries a banner in memory of or in honor of a loved one battling cancer. The line of trucks is long—nearly 3.5 miles from beginning to end. From the roadside, the list of names seems endless. The trucks idle, waiting for everyone to get in place, and then with a deafening blast of horns, the parade begins its trek through the countryside visiting the towns of Phenix, Charlotte Court House, Drakes Branch and Keysville.

It is a bittersweet event. Through much sickness and loss, the line of trucks stand shoulder to shoulder, like a hedge of protection around our loved ones, offering hope that a cure will be found.

Briefly the sky lightens and a bright spot can be seen through the clouds before the rain begins again. Those who have battled cancer have been through the same dreary days with the moments of hope and moments of disappointment. Standing together, those skies are sure to brighten.