Coming back to school, I was fortunate enough to be welcomed on the Relay For Life committee with some truly amazing people. I have attended many Relay's growing up and most recently, a special one at John Carroll University last year while going through treatment. This year, I am a part of the planning, supporting, and executing one of the biggest college Relays in the country. Here at SLU, we set a goal of $150,000 to fundraise for the American Cancer Society. Every one on our committee is so passionate about Relay and we are determined to do our part to find a cure. For many different reasons, we all Relay. For our grandparents, for lost loved ones, for friends, for more birthdays, for HOPE.
Relay For Life has always been special to me, but is even more special this year. For the first time, I will be participating in Relay For Life as a survivor. I have so many thoughts and emotions swirling in my head as we approach the start of this big event. Every thought, memory, letter, interaction in the last year of my life is coming to memory. This is something that is so important to me. Relay For Life is much of the reason I am still here today. Because of money that goes to cancer research, I am a survivor. Our money that goes to the American Cancer Society goes straight to the search for a Cure, to give people hope, and longer lives, like me.
I feel as though it is my job to continue the fight. I don't understand why cancer exists. The pain, the suffering, the darkness, it's so devastating. I don't know why I got cancer and I have come to realize that the emotional and mental recovery is a lot longer than the physical recovery. It is a fight every day, and I am still fighting. This is something we have the power to stop. We have the power to contribute our talents, our resources, our energy to make sure that someday, no one has to hear the word "cancer." One day, we won't hear words like, chemotherapy, radiation, tumor, cancer. But, it is up to us. It is something that we have the POWER to HELP fight.
I ask you to please keep the SLU community in your thoughts as we do our part to fight this disease. Keep all who are fighting their battles in your hearts, remember those who have lost their fight. We are not alone, you are never alone. One day, I will live to see a cure for cancer. If you are interested in contributing to our fight, here is a link to my page. Feel free to explore and see what were about.
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=48667&pg=personal&px=31374409
Also, please keep Boston in your prayers as they fight through such tragedy. I thank you for all your continued love and support, I can feel it with me every day. Just so you know, I relay for you.
Infinite Relay Love,
Emily
