It's hard to believe it's been 7 months since we met in Dallas to learn about the new Fight Back ceremony and pledge.  So, how are you doing?  I have to tell you, I got off to a slow start.  My pledge was a personal health goal.  I didn't step too far out of my comfort zone and pledged to have 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.  Of course, I knew that I really needed to do much more. 

Toward the end of 2007, I was looking at all of the volunteer work I had been doing for Relay and my community when it hit me that I really needed to do something for me.  I made a new fight back pledge that was going to take more hard work on my part.  I set measurable goals of getting back to my wedding-day weight and getting in shape by exercising 3 days a week for 30 minutes.

I started working toward my goals on January 1.  I'm happy to let you know that my progress has been steady.  (I keep my younger son updated with my progress.  His response is always "Great job.  You still have a long way to go!"  LOL!) And, I've actually increased my exercise to 5 days a week for 1 hour!! 

Yesterday, one of our survivors and most ardent American Cancer Society advocates lost her battle with cancer.  Kathy Farmer had been fighting for many years and this recent battle was just to much for her to overcome.

Kathy was a true survivor.  When she was diagnosed with cancer the first time, her odds were not good at all.  But Kathy is a true fighter and beat those odds.  In addition to her own battle, she lost her "daddy" to cancer 3 years ago shortly after our Relay.  Although he knew he was sick, that year he ran home during our event to make extra blocks for our luminaria ceremony as we ran short. 

What an amazing and dedicated family.  When her mom called to tell me the news, she told me to be sure to pick up the box of crafts that Kathy had made to sell to raise money for this year's event.  She never stopped fighting back.

Kathy, we'll continue to walk for you and all who battle this disease.  I know you'll be there with me always.

Wow, this is a Super Week for us here in Illinois.  By now, I'm sure many of you are getting ready for the big game.  For those of you in "Super Tuesday" states, don't forget to vote on Tuesday.  The men and women we elect will be critical to our fight for access to care and the fight against cancer

If you're looking for some last minute Super Sunday recipes, here are some that are full of veggies and flavor and low on saturated fats. 

Chicken strips and blue cheese dip: 

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1054899

Even lighter buffalo chicken strips:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/22936948/

Vegetarian Chili:  Modify this recipe by rinsing all the canned beans and corn.  Add 1 cup water or vegetable broth.  You'll make the recipe much healthier!!

Our first ever Paint The Place Purple event was amazing.  Nearly everyone was wearing purple.  (Even if they didn't purchase our special t-shirt, they wore purple.)  It was a sight to behold.

Long story short, the whole evening was so much more than I ever imagined.  Thinking about it still gives me the chills.  Our U-High youth survivor speaker was great.  Our Olympia High student who has been at St. Jude in Memphis for the past 2 months battling non-Hodgkins Lymphoma arrived home shortly after half time.  The game was stopped to allow her to come to the center of the gym.  Of course, she received a standing ovation and tons of applause.  The gym was so loud. When she took off her sweatshirt hood to reveal her beautifully-bald head, the crowd cheered louder!

I thought I'd share my pictures with you.  (After I clean them up, I'll add them to the gallery.  But for now, just check out my album on Shutterfly.) 

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZuHLZu1aM2LzQ

I AM BURSTING WITH EXCITEMENT!!!  I have to share this with all of you.  Tomorrow (January 18) will be the first-ever Paint The Place Purple event at Olympia High School.  A local businessman came up with the idea to change our "Pack The Place" basketball game with an event to support a high school student who is battling cancer (for the second time) at St. Jude in Memphis.  Working with the booster club co-presidents, they've pulled this together in 2 months!!

UPDATE:  Newspaper article about the event.  This says it better than I can!   

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/011808/REG_BFHD586J.033.php

The Olympia Spartans (Stanford, IL) will be hosting their rival University High School Pioneers (Normal, IL) that evening.  (U-High also has a student who is a 2-year testicular cancer survivor.)  This is the first time an event like this has been held in our conference. 

Happy New Year everyone.  We're off to a great start here in Illinois.  Smoke free since 1/1/2008!  Yahoo!!

For those of you working on smoke-free initiatives in other states:  Don't give up!  Working together we can make all states smoke free. 

Wishing all of you a prosperous and purple New Year!

I know we all have our own reasons as to why we're involved with Relay For Life.  But sometimes, I admit, I need a reminder.  I received this message today and it says it all!  I hope everyone reading this has a very Merry Christmas and a totally purple New Year!!

Ann, thank YOU so much for donating your time to a very worthwhile cause!! It's work like yours that enabled research and a "cure" for the cancer that Zach had (testicular cancer). Apparently, 15-20 years ago, the statistics were flip-flopped on the cure rate for testicular cancer. But, due to research, it's a highly curable cancer nowadays.

I just came back from an exciting meeting about a new fundraiser that will benefit the American Cancer Society and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.  A local businessman came up with the idea to celebrate, remember and fight back by changing our annual "Pack The Place" basketball event to a "Paint The Place Purple" event at our area high school.  On December 18, students and fans from Olympia High School (Stanford, IL) and University High School (Normal, IL) will come together to "Paint The Place Purple". 

Commemorative purple t-shirts will be sold to anyone who'd like to purchase one.  Purchase a t-shirt and you get into the game free.  The cheerleaders, band members and (if we can find a way to make it happen) basketball players will all be wearing purple at this event. 

We'll have some public service announcements and a survivor recognition at the event.

Students at both schools are competing to see which school can sell the most t-shirts.  (The cost of the t-shirts was underwritten by sponsors so 100% of t-shirt sales will go to the American Cancer society.)  We're having some other fundraisers to benefit St. Jude. 

If you've been lurking around RelayForLife.org, I encourage you to set up an account so you can join us in all of the fun.  We'd love to hear what you have to say.  There are so many great ideas out there among all of our wonderful volunteers and staff.  I hope you'll consider sharing yours!

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Congratulations to everyone involved with the Great Lakes Summit.  I'm so glad I got to be part of your event.  What a great idea to include youth and community volunteers in the same event!  Thanks to Ryan, Anna and everyone else who made the weekend so much fun for me!  Take a look at the Relay For Life Photo Gallery to see the photos I took!

Wishing you all a great year to Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.