2012 Relay For Life of Denton TX
A survivor is anyone who has ever heard the words… “You have cancer.”
Every person who walks in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life has a reason for walking. Every person has been touched by cancer in some way, and each of us has a story to tell. These stories remind us that the Relay is more than just walking around a track. It describes the progress we’re making together to save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. If you are a Survivor or Caregiver, and would like to share your story, we would love to hear it! Please click your applicable “Story” button below, and tell us how cancer has touched your life, why you Relay, or why you are raising money for the Relay For Life.
Survivor Stories
Cassi
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
This is me, and I am a survivor.
I am a four-year survivor of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. I was 29 and pregnant with our first child when I was diagnosed. After 12 hours of surgery, I lost my eye, eyelids, brow bone, nerves, tissue, and most importantly the majority of the tumor. I started my 30-day treatment of radiation and delivered my daughter seven weeks early so I could start my chemo. It was hard for me at first to worry about myself and the baby that I was carrying. Then, the worries of people staring or children thinking that I looked like a monster set in. These are all things that have happened and will happen again. I chose not to wear a wig when I was bald, and I chose not to cover my eye with a patch. This is me, and I am a survivor. I Relay to show others that I am taking a stand against cancer and I want to do my part to help find a cure. I want to get the word out there about how Relay For Life helps those in need, and I want to celebrate and honor those who have fought, those who are fighting, and those who lost the fight.
Colleen
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
I will proudly walk the Survivors Lap at Relay For Life this year!
On January 29, 2007, I got the news that no one wants to hear: You have cancer. As many can attest to, I was sick, angry, scared, devastated, and the list goes on. Mine is colon cancer. After surgery that took eight inches of my lower colon, I thought everything was behind me, and I walked proudly and emotionally in my first Relay For Life in June 2007 during the Survivors Lap. My family was with me and presented me with roses as I finished that lap. It was a wonderful feeling of pride and excitement about what this diagnosis DID NOT take from me. In February 2008, I went for my one-year follow-up colonoscopy, expecting that I would graduate to less frequent colonoscopies. Unfortunately, my worst fears were confirmed when I heard the word ‘recurrence’. Although I was not able to participate in Relay last year because I was undergoing chemotherapy, I will proudly walk the Survivors Lap at Relay For Life this year! Relay For Life is a great way for all of us to recognize that cancer does not have to stop our lives. It’s just a battle that can be won… one day at a time.
Relay For Life is also a great way for people to meet other survivors in their own community. In many communities, survivors form their own teams, join the Relay committee, or volunteer for the American Cancer Society in other ways.
We invite all cancer survivors in the community to attend Relay For Life. Our goal is to create a world where more people survive cancer so they can celebrate another birthday. This year more than 11 million people will be able to do that thanks to the support of millions of dedicated Relay participants.
Survivors are the guests of honor at Relay. Some Relay For Life events may offer survivors special T-shirts or sashes or hold a special reception for survivors and caregivers. However, most Relays open with the Survivors Lap where survivors lead the way around the track while being honored and applauded by all participants. Being a part of the Survivors Lap allows survivors to celebrate what they’ve overcome while inspiring and motivating their community to fight. Survivors are proof that cancer can be defeated.
For more information, visit: www.relay.acsevents.org
