I Relay because I HATE CANCER!

I Relay for my mom.

I Relay for my aunt.

I Relay for my grandparents.

I Relay for many friends who have been effected by cancer in the past.

I Relay for those who have and will hear those three terrible words “You have cancer.”

I Relay for those who can’t.

I Relay for more birthdays.

I Relay for a cure.

I know that by raising funds and walking in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event, I will help save lives from cancer. The research being done is making a difference.

When my aunt, Therese, was first diagnosed, I was only in grade school (second grade, I think). I didn’t fully understand what was going on at the time. After some time and many tests at the Mayo Clinic, the results came back saying the cancer had spread.

My mom’s side of the family all traveled to be at Mayo with my aunt and uncle during this time. Therese also took the decision to undergo some genetic testing. She explained, “Why not do it? The doctors are already in there!”

Therese pasted away Jan. 29, 2003. I remember thinking that Christmas that we won’t have her much longer. I think that everyone was taking each day at a time enjoying what we have left.

Her doctor highly recommended that the immediate family get colonoscopies because Therese was so young. I think this came as a shock to my mom, grandma and aunts, like this-can’t-happen-to-me attitude.

They all had one done within the next couple years. When my mom decided to get her colonoscopy she also did the genetic testing. I was in third grade. Her test came back positive from the tumor found in her colon.

This was hard news to take at a young age. I didn’t always have the greatest relationship with my mom, but I remember thinking that I still needed her. I stayed with family friends while my dad could be with my mom in Rochester, MN whenever he could get off work for more than a weekend.

My brother wasn’t in school yet, so he stayed at Grandma’s for a long time. I remember asking to many questions and wanted to see her. I got down there a few weekends.

One of my other aunts found out she would have to be watched; while the other was clean. My grandma had her test done a few years after my mom and her test came back positive as well.

My mom’s “cure” was to remove the whole colon. This surgery was the best decision for how young she was and with what they knew about it. When my grandma had surgery she only got part of her colon removed. This surgery method was the best for her at her age.

From these genetic tests, the family learned that it was genetic. This is called Lynch Syndrome.

Cancer has hurt my family and myself in many ways. The testing that has been discovered and improved has made it easier to detect earlier or if at all.

The improvements in the options for surgeries have also made it easier to life a normal life after. Colon cancer runs in the family. Basically, I probably have the gene. I have not been tested yet, but I will not die from cancer.

I know way too many people that have had cancer change their life even in the slightest bit, not to try to find a cure to them all. I have few family members that have been directly affected by cancer in my lifetime.

My mom’s side has been affected by colon cancer. On my dad side, my grandpa had prostate cancer, and my grandma had thyroid cancer. Multiple of friends and multiple kinds of cancers.

It’s overwhelming to think that millions of people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. It might be someone close to us – or you or me…

I believe in more birthdays!

Together, we can finish the fight!