Fighting for a Fighter

On September 30th, 2006, I jumped out of bed, overflowing with joy, for my older brother’s bar mitzvah would take place that day. It would be a full day of togetherness with family and friends, and a really fun party later that night.

At that point in time, my mom had been fighting breast cancer for over 3 years. The cancer had metastasized to several parts of her body over the course of her battle. Even at the age of 11, I was aware that her sickness was not to be taken lightly.

What I didn’t know at the time was that Mom’s disease had reached its final stage by the time Jake’s bar mitzvah came around. What I didn’t know at the time was that Mom would pass away just six weeks later.

Aside from my young age, there was a very important reason behind my not realizing the late stage of Mom’s cancer on Jake’s bar mitzvah day. 

I vividly remember Mom on this day. I remember how she could not stop beaming with pride, not even for a second, at my brother during the 3-hour prayer services. I remember her excitedly mingling with every single guest (we had a LOT of guests) during the post-services brunch, and wanting to genuinely catch up with each and every one of them. I remember all of my friends and my brother’s friends running up to Mom and her giving them all her famous hugs, because Mom was so warm and made all of our friends feel like her own children. I remember how Mom danced the whole night at the party…I do not think she sat down for even 10 seconds.

This one bar mitzvah day is just a glimpse into the sunshine that Jill Albert was. She never let the physical or emotional affects of cancer keep her from shining with the greatest radiance and the most contagious smile. She never let the anger or sorrow that many cancer patients regularly feel keep her from having only the kindest of hearts. She never let her preoccupations with doctor appointments, chemotherapy, pills, and countless other treatment related responsibilities keep her from being as involved as she could be in her kids’ childhoods and her community.

As I get older, and the years pass, I miss Mom so much. But I also become increasingly in awe of her. I realize more and more every day just how much of a fighter this woman was during such a painful, steeply uphill battle. Even though cancer took her life, I don’t think cancer actually won. I think Mom’s liveliness in the midst of dying reflects a true victory.

I Relay because Mom was a fighter and to honor her memory, I must fight in any way I can. I can easily picture her running every Relay For Life 5K, leading a team in the Relay For Life flag football tournament, enthusiastically pulling that all-nighter at the big Relay For Life event in April. She’d be doing it all, without a doubt. So I do it for her.

RelayLOVE,

Jamie Albert

Fundraising Committee

Mission Monday: Look Good...Feel Better

      One of the most devastating effects of cancer can be something outside of the physical tole the chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments - people watch their body begin to change without their control. They may undergo hair loss or a mastectomy. Learning to adjust and become comfortable and confident with these new changes can be a challenge for many men and women. 

I remember working with a veterinarian the summer between my first and second year of colleges who was facing breast cancer for the second time. She made the decision to have a mastectomy because she knew it was the best way to combat the disease - but this did not make the decision any easier. She is one of the most confident and strong women I have met - and watching her struggle not only to make the decision but how to cope afterwards broke my heart. But she, like many other men and women, are incredibly strong and have an amazing support system through programs like Look Good...Feel Better. 

Look Good...Feel Better was established in 1989 by the Personal Care Products Council with the goal of teaching men and women how to use make-up, wigs, nail polish, and other beauty products to build up their confidence following any cancer treatments.  The organization trains hairstylists, wig experts, estheticians ("a person who is knowledgeable about the nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art" for those of you like me who had know idea what that meant), make up artists, and other cosmetology professors and makes them readily available to cancer patients in salons. So basically a beauty salon? How cool is that?  

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words so does that make a video worth 10,000? I'd say so.  To understand the full grasp and importance of this program check out this video about Brenda. She's 51 years old, so roughly the same age as most our parents, and facing bilateral breast cancer.  Such a simple thing like make-up and a wig can make such a difference. For you girls out there, think about how fun it was to dress up for prom (or prah-em as my high school called it)?! 

That's the important message behind this and all of the American Cancer Society's programs - these are real programs affecting real people. While Relay and ACS are national programs that are run by thousands of people, the goal is to benefit individuals - people's moms, dads, sisters, brothers, children. And to show them that they are heard, supported, and loved by an incredible number of people. 

With RelayLOVE,

Maria Wnorowski

Spotlight Saturday: Anna and Patrick

Hey Relay friends! As many of you (hopefully) know, we had our Fight Cancer 5k last week which was a HUGE success.  We decided to spotlight Anna Cooper and Patrick Salas who were both the girl and guy winners of the race and completely killed it! So first off meet Anna Cooper, who is a member of the Publicity Committee and actually just ran the Charlottesville half-marathon (and placed second #casual). Then meet Patrick who was actually visiting his sister at UVA and decided to take part in the 5k! 




Name: Anna Cooper

Year: 2nd

Hometown: Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Major: Pre-Comm

Why you Relay: Because fighting cancer requires more than just medical treatment. I want to live in a world where the word “cancer” doesn’t exist. 

Why you are most excited for Relay: Who doesn’t love a night filled with friends and free food?! The photo booth and the acapella performances were definitely a highlight last year. 

Did you know:  I went skydiving for my 18th birthday! 

Favorite ice cream: White chocolate peanut butter! 

           

Name: Patrick Salas

Year: Junior (at Trinity Preparatory School)

Hometown: Winter Park, Texas

Did you know:  He's on the school's 
state champion cross country team!

Through the Daily Fight

I participated in my first Relay For Life event when I was in the 6th grade. Growing up, my youth group always participated in Relay For Life events so when the spring of 6th grade rolled around, I was beyond excited to have the chance to stay up all night long! The theme for this event was “Through the Decades” so naturally dressing up was a must. As if the psychedelic 80's outfit itself wasn’t enough, I made sure that bright pink blush and blue eye shadow were a part of the finished look—not one of my better fashion forward moments…

While this was an incredibly memorable and enjoyable time, looking back, I really had no idea what impact Relay For Life events had on cancer patients, survivors, or even my own life.  I had known neighbors, family friends, and acquaintances that had been affected by cancer, but the disease had yet to affect me on a truly personal level.

All of that changed the summer before my senior year of high school. On my family’s annual beach trip, we noticed a significant decline in my grandpa’s appetite level along with complaints of stomach pain. Shortly after he returned home, GrandJack was seen by a doctor and received his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. It was heart breaking. I couldn't fathom what was happening. 

That summer was a whirlwind. My family spent many hours driving back and forth from our house in Roanoke to my grandparent’s house in Newport News. Although my grandpa began chemotherapy treatment, the cancer continued to invade. Each time we arrived at my grandparents’ house, GrandJack's state was progressively worse. It was so saddening to see the complete transformation of someone who was once so lively become so debilitated. After weeks of treatment without success, my grandpa eventually made the decision to discontinue his treatment as the pancreatic cancer became even more invasive and the chemo was no longer helping.

My grandpa was the ultimate people person; making anyone and everyone feel adored and appreciated. Even during his worst days, as the cancer took over, he never failed to complement me or tell me how much he appreciated all that I was doing for him. Maya Angelou’s quote sums my grandpa up perfectly when she said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” That truly was my grandpa; he always made you feel incredibly special. 

On September 16th, 2013, GrandJack, after a tremendous fight, passed away. To lose him was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced before and he is, with no doubt, thoroughly missed. Today, I Relay for GrandJack who kept hope and fought till the end.

I also relay for my Aunt Jane who was diagnosed with large cell neuroendocrine cervical cancer this past July. This diagnosis was particularly hard to comprehend due to her good health and young age. What’s more is that it felt like we had just grieved the loss of my grandpa so recently. This specific cancer is extremely rare with less than 100 women being diagnosed a year.

My Aunt Jane’s fight thus far has been steady but exhausting. The cancer is aggressive so therefore the treatment she is undergoing is aggressive. My aunt takes this new segment of her life day by day, as they each come with their own challenges. Despite the setbacks during her road to recovery thus far, her positive attitude and outlook on this journey are inspiring. Her updates on Facebook include notes on how to rock a scarf daily, the reason why Panera should sell a teal ribbon bagel in addition to their October pink ribbon bagel selection, and her attempts to find a slogan as catchy as “Save the Tatas” for cervical cancer. I, along with her many other supporters, wear my “Join Jane’s Fight” bracelet as a reminder of her battle with cancer everyday.

The bottom line is that Relay For Life’s mission is so important for you, for me and for everyone, because cancer affects all of us. I’ve come a long way in understanding the importance of what this organization does since my 6th grade year and I could not be more honored to be a part of a movement that hopes to see a cancer-free world one day.

But until then, I will continue to relay—for those who have lost their battle, the survivors, and those who are currently fighting.

[In loving memory of my grandpa and in honor of my Aunt Jane and her current fight].

RelayLOVE,

Kirby Evett

Fundraising Committee

Mission Monday: Reach to Recovery

"How I ached to talk to another woman who had the same experience and come through it, and so counsel, and reassure, and understand. But so such woman was available!"

Flashback to 1952 and to a woman named Terese Lasser. Like too many women many of us know, she was currently battling breast cancer. Lasser says she felt that the physical aspect of breast cancer was only half the battle - the mental and emotional tole it took was devastating. Determined that no woman should ever feel the same way she did, she took it upon herself to be a resource to other local women facing breast cancer as well. 

And so to kickoff our Mission Monday series and also in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are starting with Reach To Recovery. Reach to Recovery is one of the many services offered by the 

American Cancer Society to cancer patients and their families. Reach to Recovery is a mentoring program for potential, current, and post-breast cancer patients. While medical staff provide an amazing team to help battle the disease, finding mental and emotional support can be a challenge for many patients.

It is designed to offers these people a mentor - someone who has personally been in the same shoes as the people. They, like Lasser did, know what is it like to go through the diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiation, and so much more. They have climbed the same mountains, faced the same news, and pondered the same decisions - and now, as survivors, they can offer support and be a shoulder to lean on for these women and men. 

The volunteers are available in person or through the phone, by day or by night, to both the patient as well as their family. They are trained to offer emotional support and advice on issues on everything from an initial diagnosis to the decision of a mastectomy to the excitement and joy of receiving an all-clear diagnosis. Sometimes, having someone in the non-medical world can be just what a patient needs. When things seem the hardest, sometimes just having someone to talk to and can say they have been there is just what someone needs. 

And so, 63 years late, Reach to Recovery is a flourishing program - available to both men and women in all 50 states and multiple countries. All striving to be a community and support system for those that need it, and to serve as a reminder that cancer does not define anyone - just because someone needs a hand-up does not mean they are any weaker than the cancer, if anything it means we are bigger because of our ability to join together and stand to it. 

Through the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program, cancer survivor Valarie Jansen, right, has been providing one-on-one support to Brenda Davis, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and again in 2008. 
http://blog.mlive.com/kalamazoo_gazette_extra/2008/10/pairing_patients_with_survivor.html

"For more information about this program or any other programs, please contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-277-2345  or visit cancer.org

With RELAYlove, 

(your favorite blog manger) 

Maria Wnorowski

Spotlight Saturday: Maddy Rabil

Meet Maddy! She is currently a first-year student, and not only is she a new member of the Food Committee, but she is also the top fundraiser signed up for the main Relay for Life event on April 15th! Check out her fundraising page here! Way to go Maddy!! 

Name: Maddy Rabil  

Year: 1st

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Major: Pre-Comm

Why you Relay: In 2005, I lost my grandma to pancreatic cancer, and in 2009 I lost my dad to non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Cancer has taken some of my favorite people away from me, and Relay makes me feel like I am actively doing something to end this awful disease versus just talking about it and waiting for change. 

Why you are most excited for Relay: I can't wait to meet all of the awesome people involved. Also, this is my first Relay ever so that's really exciting too!

Did you know: In high school I started a Habitat for Humanity chapter at my school! 

Favorite ice cream: Cookie dough

We Are A Movement

I’ve never been one to do much with my hair, so when I showed up to school one day with a drastic haircut, people took notice. I’ve never been one to wear much jewelry either, so when I began showing up to school with a diamond-encrusted gold ring, people took notice. I made these changes because admittedly, I wanted attention, but not for myself.

I absolutely loved it when someone complimented me on my hair (or lack thereof) because I could tell them that mailing 12 inches of my mane was the biggest “Am-I-really-doing-this” moment of my life, but it was so worth it because someone was going to have a wig that made him or herself feel more confident.

I loved to hear from others about their enthusiasm for the idea and how they wanted to donate their own hair (hello bob haircut trend 2013). I also loved (and still love) when people comment on my ring so I can tell them about my aunt who fought pancreatic cancer for over two years, despite the fact that she was told she had two months at the time of diagnosis, and how much I admired her.

Even though I love bringing attention to the fight against cancer, I also hate it. Because of cancer I didn’t get to graduate with my childhood best friend by my side. My aunt can’t fulfill the promise she made to me the last time I saw her: that she would be at my wedding, years down the road. Because of cancer I and millions of other people worry, hurt, and cry over loved ones. But I don’t contemplate passively over how cancer has affected my life. I have too much hope for that.

I, along with so many others, relay because we share the same ridiculously large amount of hope. We channel that hope into the belief that we will finish the fight against cancer. We refuse to be apathetic in a society that has the tools and means to alleviate suffering and find a cure. We look forward to the days where future generations to come won’t ever have to shed tears because someone they know died of cancer. We are a movement.

This movement has so many positive influences, big and small. For me, Relay for Life has blessed me with a family that I wouldn’t trade for the world. For others, specifically cancer patients, Relay for Life funds cancer research, the creation of wigs, transportation for cancer patients, lodges for patients who live great distances, support groups and caregivers, and so much more.

Cancer sucks. Join me and millions of other relayers so we can create a cancer-free world.

With RelayLOVE,

Christina Kim

Team Engagement Committee

Mission Monday: The Movement

Rewind to May of 1985 in Tucoma, Washington. Meet Dr. Gordon Klatt, a colorectal specialist and running enthusiast with a desire to change something. Moderately involved in his local American Cancer Society, Dr. Klatt sought a way to bring more community awareness to the society and give them a way to get more involved.He started by running and walking the track at Baker Stadium for 24 hours which totaled 83 miles (that would be slightly more than running a marathon 3 times). While he circled the track, friends and family could donate $25 to go along with him. Within the course of that year, he raised $27,000, got over 300 friends, family members, and cancer patients involved, and got the ball rolling for what would soon be Relay for Life. 

Fast forward 30 years and Relay for Life is now the largest non-profit cancer fundraising group in the world. Relay takes place in many communities throughout the United States and has also started to have a number of events in other countries including South Africa, Japan, Ireland, and Australia. It has become a huge community movement that ties families, students, survivors, doctors, and so many more together. But in addition to all the fun, Relay for Life is about so much more. The money raised goes out to many organizations and research opportunities and is used to create a cancer free future.  

This year, the Relay for Life Blog at UVA will be having weekly Mission Monday posts. Each highlight a different aspect of what the money earned through Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society goes to. Just a little sneak peek, you will learn more about the Hope Lodge which hosts families and patients currently undergoing treatments. Or Road to Recovery which provides rides to and from treatments for patients. Or Look Good...Feel Better which is all about providing women with opportunities to pick up on little beauty tips - from scarves to wigs - to make chemotherapy more fun.Or about all of the amazing research going on across the world - from top labs in Europe to break through discoveries that have been happening here in our backyard at the UVA Medical School. So starting next Monday, but ready to learn just way Relay is so amazing (in addition to the wonderful people of course).

With Relay Love,

Maria