Go Team Monster

Have you ever hear of Relay for Life?

Do you or have you ever loved someone with cancer? Unfortunately, almost everyone can say yes. *very sad face*

I come from a family that has been deeply affected by cancer. I want to say that about 10 of my Grandma's 13 siblings passed away from cancer (including my Grandmother from ovarian cancer in 1986). My Uncle passed away from cancer about 3 months before I was born in 1979. My Uncle's sister passed away from Pancreatic cancer about 15 years ago. My mom's best friend passed away from bone cancer in 1986. In 2006 my husband and I lost our boxer girl Tank to cancer and in 2007 we lost our boxer boy to cancer (cancer is very prevalent in boxers and we knew this before we ever had the breed). One of my closest friends is 47 years old and is a 4 time, yes that's right.... FOUR TIME cancer SURVIVOR and another one of my dear friends has been cancer free for 9 1/2 years now. And today I just found out that two of my old co-workers are currently undergoing radiation for cancer. I could keep going on and on but my point is... Cancer is everywhere and affects so many... It does not discriminate!!! It's not just for the weak and old.

Last night I sat in a Relay for Life meeting and there was a 13 year old girl there with her sister. She is in Jr. High and has Hodgkins Lymphoma. As if Jr. High isn't an awkward enough time in a persons life... Now you add a horrific sickness and to a Jr. High girl, I am sure losing your hair is about as bad as it gets at the time. I can't tell you the emotions that go through you when you go to meetings and find out that some of the very people that you have shared that room with over the years have lost their battle and that some have just received the news that they are cancer free.

Cancer had made me mad! I want to do everything I can to fight against this horrible disease that has taken so much from me and from so many others! I want to help make this a cancer free world for my children!

Almost every major city has a Relay for  Life event. Please look in to it. It's run by the American Cancer Society. It's a 24 hour event. We walk for the full 24 hours to show that we can do this for one day and night. Cancer doesn't get a break, Cancer doesn't sleep. Why should we!!! We continue to fund raise for the American Cancer Society  and these funds go to such amazing places. They go to helping people who don't have transportation to the doctor's appointments, to help people with care giving, to help people with wigs, and other image issues that they will go through while receiving treatment among the research to help find a cure!

Please look in to joining or starting a team in a town near you! Please consider a small donation (every $1 helps. Maybe skip that Starbucks tomorrow and use that $5 to donate) to my Relay for Life Team. You can do so here at my Relay for Life page.

Thank you!