My first experience with cancer was when I was about 9 years old.  Returning from a trip with my dad and grandparents, my grandfather mentioned something about a doctor's appointment he had the next day, and that he was worried about the outcome.

A little about Grandpa - this guy was a man's man.  Strong as an ox, could make or fix anything, an outdoorsman, and a patriot.  You couldn't ask for a better role model.

He also smoked up to 3 packs a day.

His test results came back, and it was lung cancer.  Surgery was scheduled and performed, but it was determined that it was largely inoperable (this was 1981), so radiation and chemo were ordered, and initially seemed to have some positive effect.  As time went on, however, this ox of a man slowly began to get weaker and waste away.

The last time we saw him, he was in a coma.  He passed away at home one Sunday night in October 1983.

Of all the good memories I have of Grandpa, there's one bad one that will stick with me forever - one day when we were visiting, I inadvertently saw my dad carrying him to the bathroom, because he was too weak to walk.  From the strongest guy I'd ever known, to that.

This past weekend I participated in my second Relay in Santa Clarita, CA.  Since 1983, I have had numerous family members and friends affected by this horrible disease.  So I Relay for him, my aunt who lost her battle with stomach cancer late last year, our friends' 13 year old son who fought leukemia for more than half his life, a 50+ year family friend who is currently battling throat cancer, many others who have won, and many others who have lost.  I Relay so that my children do not have the same experience I did at such a young age.  I Relay because it makes a difference.

Our Relay effort was a huge success.  On Relay day alone our team raised over $3200, more than we did for the entire effort last year, and we're on track to do over $6000.  Overall the Santa Clarita Relay was the largest ever, with 109 teams, and headed for well over $500,000.

If you're not already a Relay participant, find the one closest to you, get on a team, and get to work.  You CAN make a difference, and the experience is powerful and moving beyond description.

"JW" Whitmarsh
Team Pooch Parents Against Cancer
Santa Clarita Relay For Life