$135 raised $200 goal

This year, relay will have a different meaning to me than it ever has before. I have always been a strong supporter of Relay for Life, but this year is a little different. This past year, I was fortunate enough to overcome some tumors I had in my bladder, thanks to the advanced technology of radiation. It was a struggle, but a beautiful struggle. I've always been a strong supporter of cancer research and technology, but you see it from a  different point of view when you become the fighter.

Many of us are affected by cancer some way or another. Most of us know someone who has/had cancer. For me, it began with the diagnosis of my grandmother. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. We all thought that would be the end of cancer, but it was too late. The cancer had already spread to her brain, but boy was she a fighter. There was not one day that she ever complained about her disease, but instead fought her absolute hardest for her grandchildren, children, and herself. Chemotherapy resulted in the loss of her hair. Losing her breast and her hair must have been tragic for her. Instead of showing negative emotion, she would wear the most beautiful wigs I had ever seen. She made sure to always look the best she could. I would go over, and she would ask me to comb and curl her wigs as she did her nails and makeup. She refused to let this monster of a disease bring down her self confidence. She put on her game face and fought till the very end. Unfortunately, she lost her battle to cancer. Cancer took my grandma from me too soon. Her life was cut too short. But, I was truly blessed to have her for the time I did. I was honored to have such a strong woman I could call my grandma.

Another strong individual who I am honored to have in my life is my dad. He has gone through so many medical problems since he was a child. Yet, he always liked to prove the doctor's and statistics wrong. As if being told that my dad would never walk again due to his back, wasn't hard enough; tragedy hit when he informed me that he would soon begin chemotherapy. I'll never forget the feeling of how my heart sunk to my stomach. Last time I hear the word cancer, was when it took my grandma from me. I wasn't ready for it to take my dad, too. It broke me down both physically and emotionally. But, being the oldest, I had to show my strength for my siblings, I had to be strong for my mom so she can be strong for my dad, and most importantly I had to be strong for my dad so he can be strong for all of us. With the help of God, technology of cancer research, and the strength of my dad, he proved everyone wrong again and overcame this vicious disease. He runs even though he was told he would never walk again. He lives and smiles by my side and I couldn't be more grateful to still have him here.Cancer is a very powerful disease and most would say there is nothing I can do. Well, there is something WE can all do. WE can support cancer research, so one day another person won't have to loose their grandmother, father, mother, brother, sister, neighbor, teacher, or friend to this horrible disease.

Every day, the American Cancer Society is helping us stay well by preventing cancer or finding it at its earliest, most treatable stages. They assist families in finding the best resources to help their friend or loved one deal with a diagnosis and their journey to get well. The American Cancer Society is also rallying communities (like ours!) through events like Relay For Life, to fight back and find cures for this disease.

Please join my team or make a donation to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Together, we can help make sure that cancer never steals another year of anyone's  life!

Cheer me on!