Tyson’s Team, headed by Evie Rosenberg, in Ashland, Oregon, began six years ago when Tyson White was in the midst of his fight with cancer. Tyson was diagnosed with leukemia at age 7, was in remission for a while, but the cancer spread and Tyson died in 2004 at age 11.
Tyson’s Team is comprised of people who loved Tyson. They are a "family" within the Southern Oregon University Family Housing Complex, where Tyson's family lived on two separate occasions. Evie was a friend and neighbor attending SOU when Tyson was a toddler (she currently is the Director of Family Housing). Evie's adult children, Shawn and Shanen are also on the team (one of them babysat Tyson and his brother when they were young). Susy and Nikki are also team members (with families in tow) and knew Tyson at the Schneider Children's Center (in Family Housing) when Tyson was a toddler and preschooler, and then again when his younger siblings attended the school. Doug is the Head of maintenance for family housing. Alex and Sarah were classmates of Tyson's in the year before he died. The Kuriyama Family and the Contreras Family lived in family housing during the years that Tyson's family lived there.
Tyson's Team is a family team. Combined, they are a group of 29 people who loved Tyson White. Tyson was part of their team and asked that they keep going until a cure was found. Every year the team gets stronger and stronger in their fight for that cure.
So, what's so special about Tyson's Team? Well, they were the top fund-raising team in Ashland, OR in 2005 and 2006, and look to be at the top for 2007. This year, they have had numerous bake sales, a teen dance, a Peruvian Dinner event, a silent auction, an adult 70's and 80's dance, sold handmade jewelry and trinkets, are selling Macy's coupons (that donate to the American Cancer Society), are having a fundraising group event including Mary Kay, Tea Lite, and Cookie Lee items (consultants are donating profits), and will hold a golf tournament in May. They also were recently awarded 2nd place for the photo contest with Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
Tyson’s Team answered some of our questions. Read below to see their responses.
Q: What is your favorite part of Relay?
A: Memories of Tyson at the Relays. He loved Relay weekend, loved camping, speaking to the public, walking the opening lap…it was a place where he could share with others his story and hear their stories and be connected. At the 2003 Relay he spoke at Opening Ceremonies and referred to himself as “a survivor” something even his mother had not heard him say. It was absolutely breathtaking. We have a great team that makes fundraising fun. Walking the track and reading all of the luminaria bags.
Q: Describe a perfect Relay in 30 words or less.
A: Relay has been canceled because ALL cancers have a cure.
Q: If you had to pick just one moment that has meant to most to you in regard to Relay, what would it be?
A: When Tyson walked the Survivor lap, and when he asked our survivor-team member, Susy, to hold the banner for the survivor lap. Tyson walking the Survivor Lap only happened a few times, but, it was so hope-filled.
Q: If you could travel to another Relay anywhere in the country, where would
you go and why?
A: Somewhere warm. A large city so we could see how others do things …San Diego sounds nice. A place where there is a BIGGER relay to be inspired by thousands of people that would help us to set our goals higher. Or possibly a place where the AMC/RFL hasn’t had much of a presence—to help get the word out.
Q: What is your favorite web site (other than RelayForLife.org)?
A: Our team captain loves any sites pertaining to Kenny Chesney.
