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 ...


Melody

I support Relay For Life for two reasons … I lost my mother a year-and-a half ago to cancer. I miss her horribly. The second reason is my big sister. She is an amazing woman. She has fought cancer twice and won both times. She does a lot to support relay as well. I am so proud of her and all she does. She is truly one of the heroes of fighting this ugly disease and winning. She is a fighter in every way. I know she can face down whatever comes her way. Way to go Kari! Keep up the fight.

Robert Buck

There are many reasons why I Relay … One, my wife Kari has had cancer two times. The first was before her 20th birthday. Three months into her chemo she found out was going to be a mom. But as fate would have it the baby was lost. She fought on and beat it the first time around but was never able to have another child. Then a few years later, her grandmother found out she had the same kind of cancer at the age of 65. Kari helped her grandmother all she could. When Kari’s stepfather was hit with cancer, she stayed with him and her mom. He was only given two weeks from the day he was told the news. They stayed with him and as told, two weeks to the day, he passed on.
When Kari thought things had settled, she was given the news she had cancer a second time. This meant one more operation, more chemo and this time radiation for 32 days. Just as her treatments were about over, the news came that her mother had a cancer that no one can fix. They could make it slow down and her mom fought it in all the ways they could. Even with all going on between them, Kari and her mom made sure to come to relay to share the night with others who knew how it was to have cancer.
My other reason to relay is my mother. She was told she had lung cancer two weeks after my younger brother was killed on July 1, 2006. My mother tried to fight, but with the loss of my brother she – sad to say – gave in to it. She took pain meds but in the end of her time her breathing became so bad no matter how she tried she never felt she had the air she needed.
These are my reasons to Relay. But if you were to ask me, I will just smile and say “I do it for family.” So as I look to the sky, I give a wink and say, “This one is for you all … and I will relay this year for you…” Rest in peace my family.

Michelle Pedersen

My mother, Doris, was diagnosed with Lung and Bone Cancer on Sept. 24, 2003 and lost her battle 5 days later on Sept. 29, 2003. I miss her dearly and had her disease been diagnosed sooner I may have had her in my life a little longer.  I have Relayed ever since. Then my Husband Gil was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer on Sept. 13, 2010.  He continues the fight and we pray every day for remission.  He continues to build strength,  overcome the obstacles and fight the battle on step and one day at a time. So many of our friends and family have been stricken with Cancer ... our Uncle Cliff was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2010, a family member and friend, Martha is a 2 time breast cancer survivor. Cancer sucks the wind right out of your sail whether you’re a victim, a caregiver or a loved one .. We MUST fight for a CURE!