American Cancer Society: Why I Relay

As stated in my first article, I would like to share my family’s story with you and why we Relay. I hope that you read the “Relay for Life Part I” article and learned a little more about Relay for Life.

My husband lost his father to Prostate Cancer three years ago. Now, with that out there let me give you a little background about my husband.

My husband, Chris, moved to our little town of Cottage Grove, Oregon when he was 11 years old from Southern California. His parents had decided that they wanted a change for their family and a quieter, safer place to raise their boys.

My late father-in-law, Pat, raced motocross from when he was a kid late into his adulthood. His sons followed in the same path and a motocross family was born. When they moved to Cottage Grove, Pat bought a well-known motorcycle shop (Herb’s Cycletown) here in town and quickly became a beloved member of our community.

All three of the boys, Chris and his two younger brothers (Kyle & Corey), joined the motocross circuit. Aside from the family business and school, the family travelled around the Northwest to represent the Herb’s Cycletown race team in competitions. Between a thriving business and bringing home trophies the family became loved by the whole community.

In June 2001, everything changed when Pat was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. While at a doctor’s visit for a seemingly common complaint, he culprit proved to be a tumor. They started him on radiation and chemotherapy. He even went to OHSU (Oregon Health & Science’s University) to take part in an experimental treatment study. Unfortunately, nothing was working and on March 10, 2003 the disease won the fight and he passed. The family lost a father, husband, son & brother and the community lost a hero.

Now, rushing into the summer of 2005 I met my now husband through a series of crazy events. Chris was reeling into the depths of his addiction to drugs trying to bury every feeling he could. His father’s illness and untimely death, his own insecurities and loss of hope for a better self and life.

After an out of control summer together, we found ourselves being hunted by drug dealers, followed by police and estranged from family. It was time for a major change. Chris tried to go to treatment and had to leave early because of a dangerous situation that was threatening me.

So, he came home and vowed to beat his addiction heads on. His mom helps us get into an apartment and he got a job, while I looked for one. One month later we found out that we were pregnant with our now 8 month old son, Tristan.

So, what does any of this have to do with Relay for Life? After my husband got sober he had to come head on with all of past pains and emotions. I saw a small ad in our local paper for people to come and get information about our local Relay for Life event.

I drug him to the meeting with me, and I, being the absolute volunteerism addict, immediately fell in love with the event. We became Sponsorship Chairs (using the community contacts from his dad’s business) and formed a team at my husband’s work.

We were married June 16, 2006, the week before the Relay for Life event in Cottage Grove and on July 21, 2006 our son was born. Our lives changed completely that summer and we have never looked back. Now, this year I am the event chair for our event and 5 members of the family are on the planning committee as well.

The event has helped heal wounds of this family’s hearts and I have seen the hope in the eyes of the survivors in our town. I am forever indebted to the healing that this event has brought to our family and the families of our community that have been torn apart by this horrific disease.

Please check out the American Cancer Society website links provided. ACS not only has events in your area, but they have many services for cancer patients and their families to help them through this very emotional, difficult time.

Watch for more articles of mine in this series to tell you all about the other great programs and services that ACS has to offer…