Why I Relay ....
Editor’s Note: As a lead-up to this weekend’s Chenango County Relay for Life (July 15-16 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds), we’ve asked several participants to share their personal stories with Evening Sun readers. This is Why I Relay ...
Christine Johnson
Because it seems like cancer has taken over everywhere ...
I have lost an aunt, and my very best friend’s mother. A very good friend who was very young and left three little kids behind. My brother-in-law has lost a brother and sister, and has another sister fighting it. My girlfriend’s niece is fighting – she is so young and has 2 little boys. I have had two neighbors die from it, two neighbors fighting it. My son-in-law’s grandmother has fought breast cancer twice now. My husband’s brother and his wife are both fighting it right now. Another friend lost her father. And many more in my town that have died or are fighting. It is a very scary thing.
Every time you turn around there is someone else fighting, or dying.
It scares me and I wish and pray for a cure all the time. I help in any way that I can, to hopefully hear some day there is a medication or something that will cure it, or a medication that can prevent it from killing.
It is just too sad to think about.
Debra Kressler
In 2002, my older brother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Following the removal of his lung, he has done well. His diagnosis was followed by my mother’s diagnosis with lung cancer. Her tumor was inoperable and after a brave fight, she lost her battle in 2005. My younger brother, during a screening for a bowel blockage, was found to have a malignant tumor on his kidney. Following the removal of his kidney, he is doing well. Shortly after that, my father was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in February of 2011.
I lost my godmother to uterine cancer and one of my best friends to ovarian cancer. I’ve seen a 26-year-old friend of my daughter go through a double mastectomy, chemo and radiation to survive breast cancer.
I relay to support cancer research.
Elizabeth Boise
Where to start? I guess in 1976 … my mother, Gladys Llewelleyn, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, which was eventually found to be caused by thyroid cancer. She lived a matter of a few months. My mother’s brother, Edgar Pierce, died from lymph node cancer at the age of 49, in 1984. My grandmother, Molly Elizabeth Pierce, died in 1985. My cousin Kari Buck has also had cancer. I was a caregiver in 1991 for my best friend, Mardele Bonsie from Earlville. My brother, Herbert Llewellyn, fought a brave battle, twice, only to lose his fight in 2008. I was a caregiver for my dear cousin, Priscilla Brunschmid-Webb, while she fought multiple myeloma, losing her battle in 2009. A dear family friend, Dick Snyder of Brookfield, lost his battle also. My grandson, Jeramie Barber, has also had melanoma and NEVER been a sun worshiper. I honor my grandson, my dear friends, Carolyn Predmore, Kathy Pollay and Kari Buck and anyone else suffering from this devastating disease.
These are only partly the reasons I Relay every year.
Janet Thomas
Nine years ago I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I had never expected to be going through something like this at such a young age. It made me realize how much life is taken for granted until you are forced to save it. In the end, my experience has made a stronger, fitter me.
Kari Buck
I relay for my friends, family and everyone who has been diagnosed with cancer – and for those who have lost the battle.
I am a two-time cancer survivor. I relay to find a cure for cancer so no one else will have to hear those three words, “You have cancer.” Relay is a special time for remembering and honoring everyone who has been touched by cancer.
I see cancer SURVIVORS every day as my job working as a nurse in a Cancer Treatment Center. I see their strength and their hope to beat their cancer everyday. I lost my grandmother to colon and ovarian cancer and my stepfather to pancreatic cancer. Most recently, I lost my beloved BEST FRIEND, my Mom, to multiple myeloma. She fought a long, hard, painful battle against this horrible disease for 7 years. I relay to someday find a cure for multiple myeloma and ALL cancers. My mom will be with me this relay walking the track with me in spirit.
Relay For Life has many meanings for me and is near and dear to my heart. We need to keep up the fight for everyone who is still fighting this ugly disease, and to find a cure for all cancers. This relay is in honor of all survivors and in memory of those watching over us as we relay on the track with lighted candles throughout the night.
Christine Johnson
Because it seems like cancer has taken over everywhere ...
I have lost an aunt, and my very best friend’s mother. A very good friend who was very young and left three little kids behind. My brother-in-law has lost a brother and sister, and has another sister fighting it. My girlfriend’s niece is fighting – she is so young and has 2 little boys. I have had two neighbors die from it, two neighbors fighting it. My son-in-law’s grandmother has fought breast cancer twice now. My husband’s brother and his wife are both fighting it right now. Another friend lost her father. And many more in my town that have died or are fighting. It is a very scary thing.
Every time you turn around there is someone else fighting, or dying.
It scares me and I wish and pray for a cure all the time. I help in any way that I can, to hopefully hear some day there is a medication or something that will cure it, or a medication that can prevent it from killing.
It is just too sad to think about.
Debra Kressler
In 2002, my older brother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Following the removal of his lung, he has done well. His diagnosis was followed by my mother’s diagnosis with lung cancer. Her tumor was inoperable and after a brave fight, she lost her battle in 2005. My younger brother, during a screening for a bowel blockage, was found to have a malignant tumor on his kidney. Following the removal of his kidney, he is doing well. Shortly after that, my father was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in February of 2011.
I lost my godmother to uterine cancer and one of my best friends to ovarian cancer. I’ve seen a 26-year-old friend of my daughter go through a double mastectomy, chemo and radiation to survive breast cancer.
I relay to support cancer research.
Elizabeth Boise
Where to start? I guess in 1976 … my mother, Gladys Llewelleyn, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, which was eventually found to be caused by thyroid cancer. She lived a matter of a few months. My mother’s brother, Edgar Pierce, died from lymph node cancer at the age of 49, in 1984. My grandmother, Molly Elizabeth Pierce, died in 1985. My cousin Kari Buck has also had cancer. I was a caregiver in 1991 for my best friend, Mardele Bonsie from Earlville. My brother, Herbert Llewellyn, fought a brave battle, twice, only to lose his fight in 2008. I was a caregiver for my dear cousin, Priscilla Brunschmid-Webb, while she fought multiple myeloma, losing her battle in 2009. A dear family friend, Dick Snyder of Brookfield, lost his battle also. My grandson, Jeramie Barber, has also had melanoma and NEVER been a sun worshiper. I honor my grandson, my dear friends, Carolyn Predmore, Kathy Pollay and Kari Buck and anyone else suffering from this devastating disease.
These are only partly the reasons I Relay every year.
Janet Thomas
Nine years ago I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I had never expected to be going through something like this at such a young age. It made me realize how much life is taken for granted until you are forced to save it. In the end, my experience has made a stronger, fitter me.
Kari Buck
I relay for my friends, family and everyone who has been diagnosed with cancer – and for those who have lost the battle.
I am a two-time cancer survivor. I relay to find a cure for cancer so no one else will have to hear those three words, “You have cancer.” Relay is a special time for remembering and honoring everyone who has been touched by cancer.
I see cancer SURVIVORS every day as my job working as a nurse in a Cancer Treatment Center. I see their strength and their hope to beat their cancer everyday. I lost my grandmother to colon and ovarian cancer and my stepfather to pancreatic cancer. Most recently, I lost my beloved BEST FRIEND, my Mom, to multiple myeloma. She fought a long, hard, painful battle against this horrible disease for 7 years. I relay to someday find a cure for multiple myeloma and ALL cancers. My mom will be with me this relay walking the track with me in spirit.
Relay For Life has many meanings for me and is near and dear to my heart. We need to keep up the fight for everyone who is still fighting this ugly disease, and to find a cure for all cancers. This relay is in honor of all survivors and in memory of those watching over us as we relay on the track with lighted candles throughout the night.
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