Positive Energy

This lady drove me to church choir every Wednesday during elementary school. She is a survivor and has 3 beautiful girls- 2 my age. And,s he substitues at my school and reminds me of the days she used to feed me LIFE cereal.

Every month, I have many Relay For Life meetings. Many emails. Many phone calls. Workshops. Sponsor Appearances. Many hours typing away on Fuji Braeburn. Soliciting my family for help. Momma gives up her birthday every year for Relay. But, by far, the most enjoyable time of my year is the 5 weeks leading up to Relay For Life. Culpeper Relay is huge. We have been top 10 nationwide for the past few years.

I remember the first year I did Relay; it was the year after my Grandfather moved on to Heaven from cancer. I thought it would be a great way for my high school friends and I to get back together for a social time and we'd raise some money while we did it. We sold martini glasses as our 'fun'draiser. We didn't walk the track the whole time. We had fun!

Collegiate Chicks' Humble Abode Years Ago

Now, my Relay responsibilities have changed from having fun to creating and maintaining the fun/SPIRIT at relay while advocating cancer awareness coupled with educating participants on the many resources the American Cancer Society offers. I love the responsibility.

Meetings like tonight remind me why I work behind the scenes. 40 team captains leading ~800 participants to raise ~ $250,ooo (that's our goal this year) in a 2-day, overnight event. What a challenge? What a sacrifice?

It's amazing how the village comes together to form a supporting community that will Celebrate lives, Remember lost loved ones, and Fight Back against cancer! The meetings are a mix of rookie teams and veterans, survivors and people who have never heard the dreaded 3 words "You have cancer." Everyone comes after a long day of work to volunteer their time away from their families and friends to help eradicate a deadly disease. What a sacrifice?

It's a beautiful site. The HOPE that is alive keeps me running on 100 cylinders until I crash May 16th at 3:30 PM. Is it a sacrifice? No, I don't think so. It keeps me alive to know that you and I may celebrate another birthday for every step around the track or every dollar raised.

Moral of the Story: Webster Dictionary describes 'sacrifice' as 'something given up or lost." I have never lost sleep at 3 AM worrying about whether my kids will have a mother in 3 months. I have never had to shave my head so that my students are not scared as my hair falls out in class. I have never had to have foreign drugs put into my body. I have never had to the fight battle. So, I have not sacrificed; I pray, hope, and work for the day that no one has to face this sacrifice.

Consider taking a step toward the finish line of a cure. Donate here.