Welcome to the personal page of Rebecca & Hunter Buchanan

My Reason to Relay

I have been affected by cancer through numerous family and friends, including my mother, my late father-in-law, my brother-in-law, my sister-in-law, and many of my closest friends.

Since her diagnosis, my friend Rhonda has given me inspiration and shown me what it is to fight with every ounce of your being. She has been one of the biggest supporters of the Conejo Valley Relay for Life through her ten-year fight for life. I hope you will take a moment to see for yourself what I mean...

This is Rhonda's story, in her own words:

"As I sit here, I have a 4x4 bald spot on the left side of my head and the rest of my hair is about 1/2 inch long.  This is a result of my lastest gamma knife. To date I have had 15 surgeries and more chemo and radiation than I can count.  Fortunatley, I am still here to write about it and very THANKFUL.  Each year I think that this is the year I will beat cancer and each year I think to myself "Next year".  However, I REFUSE TO GIVE UP!  I don't know how many of you know this but I can be quite stubborn.  In some cases, it benfits me:)

In July, we had a family reunion for Jim's family.  During that visit a couple of his cousins told me if I can hang on 5 more years, stem cell research could be happening.  I HOPE like crazy they are right and I am here to see it.  Every day a thought passes through my head like "I want to see Trevor graduate" or I want to see Maddie get married" or "I want to be gliding  on my glider with Jim for many years to come."  I try to live my life as if it could end soon, but don't dwell on it.  I just put on my rose colored sun glasses and go about my day.  There have been a "few" tears along the way, but most of the time that's what I do.

In 1999, after my first bout with cancer, my sweet hubby gave me a locket.  He had it engraved with th words "inspriration and courage."  I can only hope that if you are ever faced with a situation you have courage to face it head on and somehow I have inspired you to take life challenges and turn them into a silver lined cloud.

As a refresher: This is a 24 hour relay, where at least one team member is on the track for the entire 24 hour period. WE are committed to walking. I am asking YOU to commit the funds. Please help me fight this horrible disease by making a secure online donation.  I am a LITTLE late getting this out, so if you would like to donate, the next 2 weeks would be great."

If her story has touched you the way it touched me, please support me in participating in this year's Relay for Life by making a donation to my team, Rhonda's Renegades. You can donate by credit card on this page, or I will personally accept cash or check donations.

Thank you for all of your support for this year's Conejo Valley Relay for Life!

Love,

Becky and Hunter

To mail in a donation by check, please click here to print an offline donation form.