Brent Johnson can say that he has done something that no one else in the entire country has done. He’s the top Relay Online Fundraiser in the United States of America!
Brent is 40 years old and a partner with KPMG LLP (an international accounting firm and national Relay For Life sponsor). Brent has been involved with Relay For Life for 4 years. His cousin and her husband had co-chaired the Relay For Life of Issaquah, WA for several years. Brent had made financial Contributions until 2004 when he decided it was time to get involved. Two months after finishing the first relay, his mom was diagnosed with cancer. In the spring 2005, they celebrated Relay For Life with his mother in the survivor lap (after going through what appeared to be a successful surgery, chemo and radiation during 2004/early 2005). In the summer of 2005, the cancer came back. Brent’s mother passed away in December 2005. Since then, his Relay efforts have been dedicated to the memory of his mother.
Q: What is your favorite part of Relay?
A: The Luminaria ceremony is unbelievable. I am touched by how many people are appropriately honored in a beautiful ceremony.
Q: Describe a perfect Relay in 30 words or less.
A: Thousands of people of all ages, laughing, crying, reminiscing and raising millions of dollars.
Q: If you had to pick just one moment that has meant the most to you in regard to Relay, what would it be?
A: Watching my mom in the survivor lap in 2005, and having a chance to speak to the entire Relay audience about her later that evening.
Q: What do you think is the perfect song for the Survivors' Lap? The luminaria Ceremony of Hope?[
A: We are the Champions by Queen.
Q: If you could travel to another Relay anywhere in the country, where would you go and why?
A: I would go down the road to Tacoma, WA where Relay for Life was started 25+ years ago, and where they are honoring a fine woman this year, Judy Phillips, who was the mother-in-law of one of my colleagues at KPMG.
Q: What is your favorite web site (other than RelayForLife.org)?
A: Yahoo/finance (ok, I'm boring.)
Q: Do you have any Inspiring words/comments to other Relayers?
A: Don't be afraid to ask someone for money for this cause. The worst they can say is no. Most likely, even if they say no, they will have known someone with cancer and your relationship with them will grow just because you've asked.
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