Cancer is not
casual. Ask any one of your friends and the overwhelming majority of them can
name someone they know whom this monster of a disease has affected. When I
arrived at the University of Virginia I was very *extremely* eager to get
involved and Relay For Life seemed like an obvious choice. Their mission to
celebrate survivors, to remember those we have lost, and to fight back through
our fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society spoke to me.
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| Young, eager Allison at her first Relay For Life Event |
At that point I
could name one family member that had been affected by breast cancer, my
great-aunt Nena. I still remember bursting into tears at a second grade
assembly while our headmistress addressed us. That was the first time I had to
feel the heartache of losing someone I loved because of a disease that seemed
so out of my control or anyone’s for that matter. That experience was impetus
enough for me to join this organization. Over the next couple of years I heard
countless stories of why people relay. Tearfully, I listened as friends share
their stories of acting as a caregiver to their mother, saying good-bye to
their sister, fighting alongside their beloved coach, and so many more. These
were such powerful stories and I thought that my one story was not enough. I
loved my great aunt, but my memories with her were so few as I was so young. I
am blessed to say that my family members are alive and well. However several
weeks ago I was talking with a friend over drinks and he shared with me that he
had had skin cancer. The comment was so nonchalant that it struck me. How had I
not known this about one of my best friends? Surprisingly, this was not the
first time this type of interaction had happened to me. Another friend of mine
had similarly shared her story during happy hour as if it was regular
conversation. Moreover this last weekend I was having lunch with my
grandparents and my mom told my grandfather that he had to have a growth on his
forehead checked out. She then told me that he had had a cancerous cell removed
in the past.
Beyond these
few stories, there are plenty more that go untold. I realized that I relay for
them and that my reason for relaying is worthy. Thanks
to the American Cancer Society, life saving research has been made possible so
that the people I love most have been able to stay in my life. The American
Cancer Society dedicates itself to research, education, advocacy, and service.
Every dollar raised is a glimmer of hope that someone can share their story
over a beer that they beat cancer, and hopefully one day there will be no
stories to tell because we will see a world without cancer. We’ve certainly
come along way thanks to the amazing work of researchers, physicians, nurses
and all those committed to finishing the fight. Just look at our very own UVA
researchers, Dr. Hui Li, PhD and Kate Adelstein, a nurse pursuing her PhD, who
will be sharing their efforts at Relay
For Life at UVA’s Flash Seminar this Friday.
We all play a role in ensuring a future
without cancer. It is a privilege and an honor to have work alongside so many
amazing people over the last four years doing my part by fundraising with Relay
For Life for the American Cancer Society. No story is unworthy, no donation is
too small. Do your part so that we can #FinishtheFight!
RelayLove,
