I don't remember knowing what cancer really was until I was in the first or second grade. I can't recall exactly when, but during the span of those two years, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. My grandfather was my best friend, and I was his. I can recall numerous memories we had together. My mom has spoken of how my grandfather used to show up randomly during the day with my carseat in his truck and ask to take me with him. Obviously, I can't remember this because I was of toddler age. But I don't doubt it either. There's a picture in my grandmother's house of my me and my grandfather all dressed up for my "Me & My Pal Dance" for Girl Scouts. It is probably my favorite picture of us together, and if I had a copy, I wish I would've been able to share it on here.
My grandfather was my best friend until he wasn't here anymore. This wasn't by choice, but rather by cancer. Cancer eventually took him for good. Even though I was in second grade, I clearly remember the day that we got the phone call. I will never forget it. May 3, 2005.
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In the year following the death of my grandfather, my mother and I learned about Relay for Life in Southold. The first Relay for Life took place in Southold in June of 2006, almost a year after the passing of my grandfather. At the time, I was very young and therefore was unable to have my own team, so I was a member on my mother's team. Relay for Life came at a perfect time; an event fighting cancer that took place for the second time a year after my grandfather died. I was a member of my mother's team for a few years, until my friend (whose mother was a member of my mother's team) and I convinced our mothers to let us branch off and form our own team. This was a decision that has forever changed my life. At nine and ten years old, we took on the responsibility of managing an entire team of all of the friends we recruited. We were dedicated to Relay for Life, and set up our own fundraisers each year (with the help of our parents). Time and time again we were recognized as a "Bronze Team," distinguishing a team that has raised $2500. For a group of kids, I think we achieved some pretty impressive accomplishments. As I got older, I became more aware of the real mission involved with Relay for Life. I learned more about all of the things that the American Cancer Society does to fight cancer and find a cure. I finally fully understood it all. A year or two into it, my mom became a committee member for the Relay for Life of Southold. At this time, I became an honorary committee member. In junior high and high school, I was the "Southold High School Representative." During my junior and senior year of high school, I finally became a real committee member, taking on the roles of Social Media Chair and Luminaria Chair. I was the youngest member on the committee, but that didn't hold me back at all. I took on the roles and took them seriously. I even attended a Youth Summit at the Hope Lodge in NYC. These roles shaped me as a person and I will be forever grateful for this. Being a part of Relay for Life has taught me leadership roles that I don't think I could've obtained anywhere else.
As I entered my freshman year of college, I immediately applied to be a member of the committee for the Relay for Life of LIU Post. Having had ten years of previous experience, I don't think it was a difficult decision for them to invite me to join the committee. Since the day I applied, I have been meeting every Wednesday during my lunch hour with this group of amazing individuals to put together our event. It requires a lot of thought and planning, but we all accepted the challenge with no regrets. Our event is on Friday, April 15th at 5PM, so if you're in the area, please come check out what we've worked so hard on. It will be amazing, and it will be for a great cause. Help us to finish the fight against cancer. Help us to find a cure. Help us to honor and remember those with cancer.
Relay for Life is a major aspect of my life. Ten years later and I am still as dedicated as I was in the third grade. I didn't find Relay for Life; it found and chose me. My grandfather passed away in May, and the first Relay for Life kicked off in Southold in February. Some people may view this as a coincidence, but I see it as a blessing. Relay for Life came into my life when I needed hope. I needed to know that somebody was working towards a cure. The American Cancer Society is not only working towards a cure, but fighting for one. And I will continue to fight with it until I can no longer fight anymore myself. I do all of this for my grandfather and for everybody who has ever been touched by cancer. Join the fight, and never lose hope.
If you would like to help me in finishing the fight, please click here!
