This is the first in a series of personal stories on “Why I Relay” from people whose lives have been touched by cancer. These will run up until the 2009 Rowan County Relay for Life fundraiser on May 1-2.
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Ann Goodman of Palmer Circle, Rockwell, wrote: People wonder why I’m so passionate about Relay for Life.
We are all surrounded by cancer every day. We can’t get away from it.
My mother, Mary Lombard, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1976 and had a double mastectomy. I was 12 years old then and didn’t really understand the deadly significance of cancer until my mother was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2004.
This is where my story really begins.
Mom was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer, which is rarely treatable. We were told she was already in Stage 4 and had possibly six months to one year to live.
There was nothing that could be done for her at this stage except to help her live her life to the fullest. Everyone gathered around with support and love to make her exit from this life as easy as possible.
She died three months later with her family by her bedside. I lost my mom, my best friend, my confidante and the grandmother of my children, who were completely lost without her.
Cancer brings such fear and heartache to so many. I Relay to fight for all those touched by cancer and for all those who have lost the fight.
If my small part in Relay will help with research to save another person from the destruction of cancer so they won’t have to go through what my mom and family did, it will be well worth all the time and effort put into it.
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Dylan Goodman, the 12-year-old son of Ann Goodman and a sixth-grader at Erwin Middle School, wrote:I Relay because of my grandmother. She had cancer twice and lost her life to it.
She was always nice to me and played games with me. She was a great cook, and she would always make me rice. She was the greatest grandmother ever.
I loved everything about my grandmother. I was so sad when I lost her to cancer. She made me feel good because she was loving, caring and also forgiving.
All she wanted was for us to be healthy and safe. I think that she would give her life for us, but I know that she can’t now because she lost her life.
She was a model person and someone who would love anyone. I remember going to her funeral and seeing how sad everyone was.
I bet everyone remembers what a great person she was because I know I sure do. I also think that I’ll remember her for a long time, and that is why I Relay.
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Jennifer Myers of Salisbury and captain of the Piedmont Regional Team of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, wrote:
There are many reasons why I Relay.
Being in the financial services industry, I have met with clients on many occasions to help with decisions that need to be made because of the passing of their husband, wife, dad, mom, grandparent, etc., due to cancer. I’ve met with clients during their last weeks to make sure the plans we’ve put in place are as they wanted them to be.
I’ve seen so many people touched by cancer and how that has affected them and their lives. But then there are the very personal reasons why I Relay.
I lost my grandfather, Henry Whitaker Sr., in March 1998 after his very short battle with liver cancer. He was a loving man who gave everything of himself to others.
I remember his big, strong and worn hands and how he worked all his life and was taken away in just a few short weeks by that terrible disease.
More recently, my mother-in law, Judy Myers, has courageously been fighting her battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma since 2001. All the tests, then waiting, then more tests, are so tiring, not only for her, but for our entire family.
What she goes through, like all cancer survivors, is indescribable. Then there are all of my friends who have had or still have cancer.
The reason I Relay is for all children to be able to spend time with their grandparents; for parents to be able to see their children and grandchildren grow up and have their own families; for everyone to have the access to the needed care and information when you hear “those words;” for my daughters, because I cannot imagine my life without any one person in it.
I love you all.
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Brittney Barnhardt of Rogers Road, China Grove, and a sixth-grade social studies teacher at China Grove Middle School, wrote:
My reason to Relay: Look around you at all who are facing cancer treatment and families that are searching for treatment options.
My personal story and the reason I feel so strongly about Relay for Life is that over 13 years ago, cancer took the life of Bradley Barnhardt, my brother and my best friend. I feel that one day there will be a cure so that no other sister or family member will have to suffer such a loss because there is nothing that can be done to save their loved one from cancer.
I believe everyone who has ever been affected by this disease and those blessed not to know this pain must join together to make a difference. I have to believe and continue to fight.
I have always been involved in Relay for Life, but for the past two years, I’ve served as our team captain at China Grove Middle School. It has been an honor to involve our entire student/faculty body in raising over $10,000 every year.
Our students will understand the importance of reaching out into the community to raise funds for Relay for Life before they leave China Grove Middle.