I relay in memory of my mom, who lost her battle
to breast cancer almost 7 years ago. She was diagnosed with the disease when
she was 31. When she received the diagnosis, my brother was just a few months
old and I was only 2 years old. My mom had breast cancer for practically my
entire childhood, but that did not affect her ability in any way to be an
absolutely amazing mother. She was the most loving and compassionate woman I’ve
ever known. She would always remind me how important it is to take time out of
our crazy lives to just “stop and smell the roses.” My mom made an incredible
impact on so many people’s lives, and remembering that is what gives me the
most comfort when I am missing her and yearning for her presence. I hope to one
day be half the woman that my mom was.
Being a part of Relay for Life at UVA has given
me the opportunity to fight back against the disease that turned my life upside
down. I relay so more mothers can be there for their children’s graduations and
wedding days, and so they can live to meet their grandchildren. I relay in
memory of my mom, and in honor of all of the moms out there who are battling
cancer. I relay to finish the fight against this terrible disease that has
taken the life of too many.
With RelayLove,
