Hi Everyone,

I'm Sarah and the Survivorship Chair for the Relay for Life of Bridgewater State College; I am also a survivor. I had leukemia when I was five and I'm 24 now and I've found that not many other young people speak up about their survivorship. When we had our first Relay last year, I was the only student walking the Survivor lap; everyone else faculty, staff or loved one of a student, faculty or staff. I felt bad because I know other student-survivors on campus but they don't speak up and its very frustrating because I want to connect with people my age and I can't because cancer is so stigmatizing. I went the New England Relay Leadership Summit in November and I took part in the College Track and still there when I wore my purple shirts I could tell the other college students, who weren't on my committee, were werided out about my willingness to express my survivorship. Do people today still really not expect young people to be cancer survivors because if so, we have an issue. I'm a sociology major and I really want to know what other people think when a young person says "I'm a cancer survivor". If a young person is reading this and you're a survivor, please don't be ashamed or hide. You kicked cancer's butt! I hope more young people begin to speak up more because this not just an older person's disease. Thanks for listening everyone and happy Relaying!

Sarah