Real David H.

I’ve been thinking about Relay for Life a lot lately. My next Relay is coming up in less than a month and generous donations continue to pour in.

For the 3rd straight year, I’m planning to run depending on how much money I raise – $50 equals 1 mile up to 10 miles; beyond that I may run a half marathon if I hit $1,000. Team members have also said they’d run at certain amounts.

That, though, is not what is on my mind. On my way to work one day this week, I started thinking about my Uncle John, who died from lung and brain cancer 7 years ago.

When he was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, he was told that he didn’t have long to live. He was determined to fight it though – he lived much longer than doctors told him, thanks in part to cancer treatments that are made possible by fundraising events such as Relay.

He made it to see one more birthday; he got one final dance in at my wedding.

But that’s not enough. He’s missed watching his granddaughter play soccer; he didn’t get to celebrate his 60th birthday in style; he didn’t get to go golf every other day after retirement; he never got to know his great niece or nephew.

When anyone asks why I Relay, I often have a long list, but my Uncle John is standing out to me for some reason this week. My memories of him are so great, and I wish I could have just a few more.

I know everyone out there has lost an uncle or aunt, or a parent, or a sibling, or a close friend due to cancer. Please help in fighting this horrible disease so we can have more birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate with our loved ones.

You can donate to my Relay for Life efforts HERE. Be sure to click on the “Donate on My Behalf” link.