Relay was on June 8th

I worked so hard volunteering for the Relay this year. I was the Survivor Co-Chair and was so honored to be asked. I tried my best to get as many donations as possible. I spent hours writing and emailing and was disappointed in the results. Most companies are not giving these days. I was so happy that my friends and family donated over $1,600. to help find a cure.

I took the day before off and helped set up the gym. I think there were about 8 of us there. There are hundreds of people that go to the Relay, and only 8 people set up.I just don't get it. I wanted to go back at 6am to help clean up but the blisters on my feet would not let me. I was going non stop all day and could not even move when I finally went to bed. Colleen did stay over with me so it was fun having a sleepover.

Speaking of not understanding, no one from the staff of the oncologists office came my doctor refused when I asked for a donation. Said something about the office being owned by the hospital.... Well it is still her patients that have cancer and she should support them. When Rita ran the team they were all there, lots of staff and almost all the support group. A few friends from the group were there and one member who proceeded to tell me just how bad the Relay was. I told him he should volunteer and then he can talk. Of course he was the one who won my teams liquor basket. All donated by my friends and family.

Some positive notes were my friend Giuseppi came and cut hair to donate to make wigs for cancer patients. My good friend Colleen and her husband both had their hair cut. Giuseppi is going through treatment now so it was extra special. Almost as special as the survivor lap, which was all put in perspective when this little girl about age 7 was walking with us.

It was a nice day, my family was with me and although my best friend Denise could not make it I know she was with us in spirit. When we were walking the first lap, we saw Flo, the wife of one of the support group members who passed away last month. That was a good moment for some tears. I did walk part of the survivor lap holding my sons hands. That made me teary too.

This was my fifth Relay and I will be a 5 year survivor in August. They say you can stop worrying after 5 years, but I don't think you ever do. It is scary and I just wish there were one day when I would not even think about cancer. Somehow it always sneaks in, maybe it is something someone says or maybe it is an ache or pain I did not have 5 years ago.

Please pray that I will have the motivation to continue to volunteer. I love doing it I am just a little uninspired at the moment.

I went to the American Cancer Society Relay Summit back in the fall. It was amazing. So empowering, it was so good to hear so many great stories about Relay and all that the American Cancer Society does for so many people.

I am now the Survivor Co-Chair for this years Relay and I am so honored to be working with such a great group of people. I want to get as many survivors involved in Relay because I want them to know that they are not alone. Having cancer is scary and sometimes it helps to speak to someone who has been through what you have are going through. I wish I had gotten involved in a support group or Relay while I was in treatment. I did not get involved in anything until after I was finished with treatment.

Today I went to the store to get rocks and sharpies. I am making Hope rocks to pass out to survivors. There is an old saying that a rock cast upon the water will send ripples our further and further into the water.  We want survivors to hand them out to someone in treatment because as a survivor, we want them to use the rock to send out “HOPE” to others on their cancer journey.