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Why I Relay

That day I came home from school changed my life forever. I remember sitting in the car with my mom as she explained that my dad had something important to tell me while I sat there thinking that, whatever it was, it could probably wait until after practice. I remember standing in front of my dad as he told me they found a tumor, and that it was probably cancer.

The rest of that day, month, year, was a blur. From botched surgeries to chemo treatments, I watched as my dad slowly got weaker but never wavered in his passion for life. And when the news came back that the cancer was "gone" after all the aggressive treatment, we were all able to let out a sigh of relief and move on with the rest of our lives. 

 After only a year, the cancer had returned. It sent us reeling into another long series of surgeries and treatments that never seemed to do anything except wear my dad down. I couldn't help but think that there should be an easier way; that there had to be something else the doctors could do to make all this go away. I just wanted my dad to have his life back.

My dad passed away March 23rd, 2010, just two months before I graduated. Those four years were harder and more trying than anything I have ever experienced in my life. I watched as my family was relentlessly taken apart by a disease. I watched it break down the strongest man I have ever known. And I think about it every day. 

This is just my dad's story, but it's not the only one. Thousands of men and women are diagnosed with cancer each year and each have a story of their own. With your donation, you are contributing to finding a cure that could change the lives of so many. Thanks for your support and let's beat cancer!

Cheer me on!