Relay for Life - Our Stories

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Reasons to Relay

There are so many great stories about why people Relay. Would you be willing to share your story to help inspire and inform others?

Please email your stories to the webmaster and we will post them here.

Our Stories:

This is only my second year participating in the Relay For Life, it’s the beginning of years to come though. I relay because cancer has affected my family and my friends, which in turn has affected me. Cancer affects everyone in some way, shape or form, everyone knows someone that has cancer, has had cancer, or knows someone who has cancer. It affects me, because I find myself wondering and worrying whether those tests my grandma is undergoing are going to come back saying she has cancer, or whether my aunt’s cancer will come back or will she stay in remission. I wonder if my friend, who has never smoked or anything of that nature, will get good news or bad news each time she goes in for her treatment and check ups; has her cancer spread, or shrunk; how much longer will she have to spend with her daughter, her family, her friends? I relay in the hopes that one day, we won’t have to find a cure for cancer, because we will have found it, I relay in the hopes that one day, survivors will not have to worry about whether their cancer will come back, because, it will be cured, and most of all I relay, for all the cancer patients who aren’t here today, in hopes that what they went through, what they endured through testing, won’t have been in vein. I relay, with the hopes, that anyone who has ever had cancer, or who has cancer, can live their lives without pain, without worries, without wondering, will this be my last day. I relay, because I believe, together, we can find a cure.

---Lori Bonnette

I started doing the Relay following my diagnosis in August 2001 and have been to each one since. It is a way to bring awareness to the public of how cancer has no boundaries. It affects everyone at some point in their life, directly or indirectly.
It is my way of being that example of survivorship, of beating the odds and of HOPE.
I am a survivor and have been a caregiver and I am thankful for both. My journey has brought faith, compassion, insight, and a new mission to my life.
I continue to Relay for all of those who I have lost, friends and family, and for those who fight the battle today.

Sandra Roach, The Prevailers!

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my early 30s I was devastated. Yes, it feels like the air is sucked from your lungs & like you are in a slow-motion, bad dream. However, when I was into the treatment and the genetic counselor told me about testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2, she made it seem like it was a remote possibility that I could be positive. I never really thought that I could be a target of those bad odds twice. It’s like winning the reverse lottery. I mean, cancer in my 30s & this rare genetic mutation – no chance! Well, the phone call came: I’m BRCA1+. One day, science will find all kinds of genetic mutations for all kinds of diseases from cancer to heart disease. For now, we BRCA+ folks, light the way in how to handle this news about your own body seemingly betraying you. Drastic preventive surgeries that cause media questions/attention, you bet. Chemo once is enough. My reason for Relay: figuring out a genetic targeted therapy that will ultimately help us all & those who participate in clinical trials that benefit us all.
-Veronica Lynch

There was a woman in the mid 80's who had eight children, a sister, parents, nieces and nephews. She had already lost her father to cancer, but she still smoked heavily, as did her husband, sister, brother-in-law and mother. When she hit her late 40's, she went and had a pap smear done on the advice of her doctor. The results were abnormal. The doctor told her that such results happened occasionally, and to have the test redone in a few months. In the meantime, she started feeling bad, had a cough she couldn't shake and just generally didn't feel good. The pap smear that should have been repeated in a few months, wasn't repeated until after she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Yes, she also had cervical cancer. It's a toss up as to which cancer killed her. You see, there weren't too many treatments available then.

About 7 years ago, her niece had a pap smear come back with abnormal (cancerous) cells. It was repeated, with the same results. The niece was sent to a nice lady doctor, who advised her to have a colposcopy done. The test was done, but the results were again, not good. The lady doctor did a biopsy, and advised the niece to repeat the test if the results were bad and make a decision regarding treatment at that time. The niece dutifully went back for the second colposcopy, waited for the results and got the phone call that no one wants to get - yes, there were cancerous cells. Off the niece went to see the big bad OB-GYN guy, who cheerfully told her that just a couple of hours, a local anesthetic and a hot wire would probably fix her right up. This procedure is called a LEEP or loop excision and is done with a local anesthetic, an electrical wire, and the steady hands of the physician. The niece left work at about 9:00 am a few weeks later, went to the hospital, had the procedure, and was back at work the same day (after picking up lunch!) at noon.

Had this procedure been available to her aunt, perhaps her story would have been different.

I know all this because I'm talking about my Aunt Annamae and I'm the niece. I believe that because we relay, we've made a difference in new research, new treatments and new hope that would not be possible without us. I'm living proof.

Cher Burke

I am dedicating my walk to Linda Walters a wonderful mentor and friend. She retired from teaching this year and is fighting cancer with all her might.

Why I Relay

I relay for you

I relay for me

I relay for hope

To be cancer free

When I walk the track

My feet walk the path

My heart beats with love

My soul takes a bath

I relay to help

I relay to give

I relay for a friend

So that she might live

When I watch her walk

I can not speak

She is so strong

I am so weak

I relay to fight

I relay to remember

I relay to cherish

My loved one forever

How does she do it?

I want to know

Walking with pride

and yet moving slow

I relay to save

I relay to share

I relay for those

without any hair

She is my hero

She is my light

She is the reason

We are winning the fight

I relay to cure

I relay to feel

I relay so she

Might one day be healed

So I continue to walk

With my hands held high

I continue to relay

For it WILL save a life!

By: Tonya Wilde

The American Cancer Society at 1 800-ACS-2345
ACS Mission Statement: The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.