By Sam

Imagine a world without cancer. More than 1.4 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Cancer is a tragic and disappointing process that can be life taking. The nerve that cancer can cause for the family, and the cancer patient, is stressful and upsetting. The Relay For Life quote is “celebrate, remember and fight back.” This is what we have to think about, to have faith and hope in that person that they are strong enough to make it through this rough spot in life. We all have been through rough times at some point in our lives. Now it’s time to celebrate, remember and fight back.

My experience with cancer has been a catastrophic journey, and probably even worse for the cancer patient, Abbie. Abbie is now eight years old and a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia on March 9, 2007. That was definitely unexpected for everyone. The dismay that this caused was terrible. I remember I got out of school early. I was laughing and having a good time, until I noticed the gloomy and dull expression that my Dad held on his face. I knew something was wrong and my happiness left.

I was quiet for a while and then asked what was going on. Neither of my parents answered me. Finally, I became so bothersome that my Mom just told me. She told me that Abbie had cancer. Of course, I couldn’t hold my emotions back and I cried. I was sorry for her. One time I even told my Mom I wished it were me who was diagnosed instead. It really got to me how sick she was all the time. I was quite bothered by it.

Abbie missed out on all those sledding parties she loved so much, swimming at camp when someone had a birthday party. Going on vacation was almost impossible because anything could have gone wrong. I wanted to help in some way, but how? That is where Relay For Life ties in. Without Relay, all of the fundraising and remembrance wouldn’t exist. I am extremely thankful and overjoyed at the fact that Relay For Life was founded.

I am thankful for all that they have brought to all cancer patients. Relay gives hope and determination for those who need it. I am happy for all of the fundraising that Relay has brought to my family and friends. I have enjoyed Relay a lot and have loved being a participant on a team.

Cancer is terrible and definitely an uncomfortable, nerve-racking process. Relay gets you away from that stress for a while and having fun for a good cause. That’s why I love Relay. Relay always gets you in a positive attitude. Knowing that you are helping someone makes you feel good.

There are a couple other cancer scares that have been involved in my lifetime. My great-grandfather had bone cancer and the cancer ended up getting the best of him. He had bone cancer and died from it. I thought the world of him, as he did of me. I loved going to visit and seeing him. He always used to take me places and spoil me. I have still not fully recovered from this and getting into too much detail will be too depressing. I will say that even though he was my step- great-grandfather he will always have a special place in my heart and will be remembered forever.

That brings me to another reason as to why I love Relay so much. Relay brings back the great memories and times you shared with that person. Relay helps you remember. It’s a wonderful thing that Relay does for everyone. I am a proud citizen to be a part of Relay, and hope to stay a part of it for a while.

My most recent scare was my grandfather. He went to the doctors not long ago and they found he had cancer cells. They believe they caught it in time, but cancer is tricky and to be honest, I am scared. I do have faith in him and hope that he will fight this through. I am proud to say that I have the greatest grandfather anyone could ever dream of having. I think a lot of him. He certainly is one in a million and I love him. I have strong beliefs that he will make it through. God is by his side every step of the way. I’ll be on the other side.

Relay For Life just gives hope to everyone and helps people have a positive attitude. Relay For Life, I believe, means a lot to the cancer patients. I know that it puts a smile on Abbie’s face. A smile we have all come to know and love.

Relay can get the patients away from all the surgery and poking and being uncomfortable. Relay gets them out, loving their lives to the fullest, like they should be doing. I believe that just because you may be diagnosed with a life changing disease, you should still be able to go out there and have a great time like everyone else.

Relay does that and makes everyone smile to know that his or her loved ones are happy. That’s why I am proud to be a part of Relay: a life-changing event that everyone involved in looks forward to. There’s only one more thing left to say: celebrate, remember and fight back.