May 30th

I close my car door, turn the key and press on the gas pedal. It's a short trip, but one too often left untaken. I pull into the quietness, leaves neatly piled high and grass freshly cut. I take the all too familiar path and pull off to the side as to not be in the way. I grab the flowers off the passenger seat and the shiniest penny from my collection on the dash. I slowly open my door, and make my way to my destination. As if the slower I walk the easier it will be. I see the dates, 23 years in all, with a dash between the years. Seeing his name printed boldly on top hits hard, as though it's the first time I've seen it. I gently place the flowers by his name, and sit next to the constant reminder. I place the penny on the worn cement, as he did so many years for my mother. I stare at his picture, my mouth frozen in time. No words good enough, no silence long enough for how I feel. Imagining how different things would be, if cancer weren't such a familiar word. I speak as though he's there; he's my best friend, my big brother, my whole world. I stand up, not wanting to leave, placing my fingers to my mouth; I kiss them, then gently place them on his headstone. I whisper, "Happy birthday," as I once again walk away.

I Relay so that maybe someone, someday will get one more birthday with their brother.

The Longer the Journey, the Deeper the Meaning.

Cancer is more than a word. It's a battle. It's a journey. A life changing event so many, too many go through. Nothing can fill the hole cancer leaves, no one can replace what cancer takes away. But hope, courage, endurance, and faith make it possible to overcome the tragedy we call cancer. This will be my 5th year participating in Relay For Life, and my 3rd as a team captain. Each year we have raised more and more money, and Relay has become more and more meaningful. Relay isn't just about raising money, its about coming together, with a common goal in mind, defeat cancer. It's about dedication and determination. Because, you see, each dollar isn't just a dollar, each check isn't just a check. Each penny we raise is a tribute to those we love and have lost, a token of hope to those still fighting, and a piece of comfort to the millions affected by cancer. If every tear shed because of cancer fell as a penny there would be no need to raise any money for we'd have all the money in the world. Unfortunately the tears only fall as that, tears. So I am trying to do my part to give tribute, hope and comfort, because NOBODY deserves cancer.

Why I Relay...the beginning

So I started participating in relay for life in 2007 just 5 months after my brother, Morgan, passed away due to cancer. Ever since then, I have walked the track all night to give a little to what took a lot. Every year I have been surrounded by family and friends, strangers and neighbors. Every year has gotten better and better and i have to say this year, 2009, has for sure been my favorite! Relay for life provides an opportunity for people like me who aren't doctors or scientist or even millionaires, just ordinary people doing an extraordinary thing. Cancer is hard, is takes energy, time, effort and most of all courage.We have to have the determination and motivation to rebuild what cancer tore down. For me the motivation and determination comes from those walking next to me. One day I hope there will be more people walking the survivor lap, than luminary bags lining the track.