Almost every person that I come in contact with has been affected by cancer.  When I say that I lost my wife to cancer last year, the response is almost always, I have or I know of someone who is battling this dreadful disease or someone who has lost the battle.  They are family, friends and co-workers. 

            The first time cancer affected me personally was when I lost my brother-in-law Tim to kidney cancer.  Then, in August of 2003 my wife, Peggy was diagnosed with colon cancer and my brother-in-law, Gary was diagnosed with stomach cancer.  They are both gone now.  More recently, my cousin Debbi is battling cervicle cancer, my brother, Bob has bone cancer and my Mother has been diagnosed with colon cancer.

            Cancer is not only a horrible disease, but the treatment for it is also horrible.  I spent 3 years as a care giver and was in and out of the treatment center almost every week.  You look around the waiting room and you see the elderly, middle aged people and young children.  Cancer does not discriminate.  They all have that same look on their face because once you are told you have it, everything changes.  The treatment is brutal.  You become pale and weak.  You lose weight and you lose your hair and can experience many other side effects.  The drugs kill both good cells and bad.

I became involved with the Relay for Life about three years ago because I was angry and wanted to fight back.  I don’t want to see anyone have to go through what my family and I have been through and continue to go through.  The Relay for Life is far more than just a fund raiser.  It is an association of people who share the same pains and suffering and therefore is a support group.  You can always find a Relay volunteer who can relate to what you have experienced.  And it is a memorial to honor those lost to cancer and we celebrate that during the annual Relay event.  So, if you want to join the battle and contribute in any way, becoming a Relay volunteer is the way to do that.  Why not come and join us? 

The Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

                         Celebrate.  Remember.  Fight Back.

  John Cruse

Why I relay……

Relay became a part of my life after many family members became involved with Relay for Life.  I am not sure that I have ever known how to grieve and I have now learned that Relay is helping me with the healing process of losing my father to cancer.  I lost my Dad close to 10 years ago and the heartache feels like it was just yesterday, not years.  I do believe now that giving back (by fundraising) has been extremely helpful to me personally in recovering from the loss of my Dad.  At Relay being surrounded by others who have either lost someone to cancer or someone who is a Survivor of cancer is what it is all about now for me.  My family shares this day together and I do believe that the love and support of family and friends is how we have coped with this dreadful disease.  I love the event of Relay and the heart felt stories that are shared at the event.  Many have very sad endings but the SURVIVORS are why we are at Relay each year.  The money that is raised will make a difference in the research that will someday save someone else’s father, aunt or uncle and that is Why I Relay!!!

We appreciate everyone’s support-

Terri King