In 2001 my little sister gave the Keynote address at the Hubbard County Realey for Life. She had had a Bone Marrow Transplant because she had a rare form of cancer call  Burkitts Lymphoma. From her speach I remember one quote "I have alot of living to do". Unfortunately my Sister lost her battle September 19, 2001. She was 22 years old.

About a year later my Mother was diagnosed with borderline stage four Breast Cancer a year after that my Granny was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Both received treatments and survived the battle. Than after beating Breast Cancer my Granny died this last January from another form of cancer in in lung area. Not really lung cancer but, I don't remember the name of it.

As you can see Cancer has affected my life alot in the last few years. not only have these three people whom I was and am very close to been affected but also many many Aunts and other relatives. Many have died and many are still undergoing treatments.

Through all of this the American Cancer Society has helped our family in many ways. Finacially, wigs, etc... I am not in the position to make a huge contribution on my own so the only way that I am able to do something is by participating in the Realy.

I won't say that the first couple years were easy after my Sister died, actually I avoided the Relay like the plague. But I found that it was so beautiful to see all those luminaries lite and that so many people care about a great cause that it was actually very comforting.

I will continue to do what I can for a GREAT organization as long as I can!