Relay for Life

I started doing Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society 4 years ago.  Relay for Life is a 24 hour event that usually takes place on a track where teams walk for 24 hours raising money for cancer research and support.  My friend in crime Laura asked me to start a team with her and history was made!  Our team has grown each year.  The first year I was a team captain.  The second year I was a team captain and a committee member.  Last year I was the first Youth Engagement Chair in Hartland along with being a team captain.  This year I was team captain/Youth Engagement Chair/survivor.

I have never been quiet about my cancer.  I think just about everyone in Hartland got a chance to feel my tumor.  I decided to talk about it to raise awareness.  I was very surprised when other women in our community came forward saying they were also fighting breast cancer.

This year, being a survivor, brought home how much ACS does for cancer patients.  It brings hope.  Hope is so important to a cancer patient.  It also brought home how many people I have supporting me in my fight.  People I didn't even know were coming up and hugging me.  Telling me they were praying for me.

This year, I spoke at opening ceremonies as a survivor.  As much as I like to talk, that was the hardest speech to get through.

Thank god they got a pic of me crying and trying to talk in the paper!  Yikes!  Glad I had on my tiara that day....