Background and Reason #1 of DNation

Disclaimer- this is a long post, because fighting cancer means a lot to me and although I will probably not be the fastest American Cancer Society DetermiNation runner on November 5, 2011, I want to complete it just a much as the next person!

I first heard of Relay For Life (RFL) from my mama. She was/is active in her local women's club and they participated in a rather large RFL in Northern Virginia. I would help her set-up and then leave to go hang out with my high school friends. I was never given the opportunity to join a team besides with the "old bitties" (I joke, mom, I joke!).Besides I just was just too self-absorbed and 16-18 years old...

Fast forward to college and I jumped into all the extra curriculars that a small liberal arts college has to offer a young woman who wants to change the world. I became involved with this that and the other... people always joke that you if you need something done, just ask a busy person. So my friend Erin came up to me and asked if I wanted to help them start a Relay For Life on campus. I was like what do you need me to do! I went to an info session for the Inaugural Committee and learned that I would be in charge of entertainment and helping with anything else needed. Over the course of the 3 years (we started my sophomore year), I was a Co-Chair and filled in with whatever tasks needed to be done. I became so passionate about the American Cancer Society (ACS) and RFL.


So we graduated in a gorgeous ceremony on the hill in the most perfect weather with all our friends and family present. Then 10 days later I hop on down to Key West, Florida to begin an internship/job/don't wanna grow-up at a non-profit and pick up some sidework at a local SCUBA shop. Don't hate. Free diving and living a glorious life for a year after college figuring out what I wanted to do. Ok, back to RFL/ACS; like the majority of my peers, I was having a hard time finding work in my field. I figured out I didn't want to go into Marine Research and I couldn't hack the jobs that aren't steady (no steady paycheck is not for me and I learned I was not the free spirit I thought I was). SO- my dad brought up the point that I LOVED RFL and what it did for the face of cancer and that I should look into finding a job with ACS.

I began with the Key West office. I had done a little volunteer work there, but they had no positions open. I knew I did not want to go back to Northern VA... so I left my search parameters wide open. I ended up in Portland, Oregon. Problem was, I had visited in the summer. It was glorious that time of year!! And it really does not accumulate that much rain. Key word, folks, is accumulation. But it does rain more days, like a 100 or so more days than Savannah.. So I stayed out there a year and then transferred to SAVANNAH!!! Or should I say SLO-VANNAH! OR the Low-Country. More sun, close to the beach, and the largest historic district in the nation. Love.

So I worked at ACS for 3 more years and staffed anywhere for 4 to 5 RFLs at a time, plus Mission Work. I was a busy lady!! I did a lot of networking through the Chambers and other events to promote ACS and their mission. The more people that knew of their services (www.cancer.org or 1-800-ACS-2345- 24/hrs a day) the better.

Reason #1
THE REASON why I am running/Chairing DetermiNation for Savannah Rock n Roll. Drum roll please.... Back in Oregon, I volunteered to spend a week's vacation at Camp Ukandu (ACS Camp for kids with cancer). I have gone back every year with this summer being year 5. They are like my family! It is hard to describe to anyone that has not been to camp, but it is a week of outrageous fun with others that understand what they are going through without ever having to muster the "C" word.

To the left is Matthew, I meet him in 2007 at Camp Ukandu. I was paired with Matthew as his special helper and friend. What a blast we had all week. Here is a quote from his mother on his history with cancer:

Matthew and I at Camp 2008

"As is true for most any one I didn't know much about cancer until it hit our family when Matthew, at age 10, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) On August 18, 2005. What he went through was monstrous. He endured over 2,100 doses of chemo over a 3 year 3 month time frame!! He was hospitalized, lost his hair 4 times, numerous blood and platelet transfusions, one emergency air flight, 7 five hour antibody infusions, and so much more."

Matthew and all the other campers/counselors are part of my family. I think about them nearly every day. I run for them. I run so no one else has to face what Matthew had to face. 26.2 miles is nothing compared to the 2,100 chemo treatments my friend, Matthew had to endure.

Running can suck at times, but Cancer sucks a whole hell of a lot more! If you would like to donate to my DetermiNation fundraising efforts and help the ACS with Research, Education, Advocacy, and Patient Services Click HERE . Thank you for helping in the fight against cancer! 

A world with less cancer, is a world with more birthdays!