I’m gearing up for a very special Friday night lights when Chickasaw County celebrates its Relay for Life and illuminates our community with heartfelt tributes to those who lost the battle with cancer, those who are living with cancer and those who survived cancer.
    I am a three-year cancer survivor. My cancer was found by accident. I had surgery for another health problem; however, the pathology report determined that I had a golf ball-size tumor.
    I spent the summer of 2004 going through 31 radiation treatments and nearly every side effect on the list. Through it all, I tried to maintain a sense of humor despite the fact that I was scared to death because I had not seen anyone in my family survive this disease.
    My mother, her sister, her brother and her father all died of cancer within a 12-year period. We would barely recuperate from one, and then it would strike again. My aunt, who was 39, and my uncle, who was 45, died two months apart from each other. The image of my aunt laying her hand over my uncle’s in the casket is forever burned into my memory.
    My mom, who had to drop out of high school because she was pregnant with me, never saw me graduate from college. I was in my senior year when she died on May 4, 1994. I was thankful she did get to see my third child, Chelsea, who carries part of her name.
    It is because of my history that I am active in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. I knew when I moved to Chickasaw County last year I wanted to become involved in the organization. I volunteered as the publicity chairman. This is my second time being on a Relay committee, and I have enjoyed the experience both times. 
    I encourage everyone to come out to the local Relay for Life on Friday, June 6, at the Chickasaw Wellness Complex. All the dedicated committee members have worked very hard over the last six months to make this the best possible Relay for the citizens of Chickasaw County.
    The opening ceremony begins at 6 p.m. The six-hour relay will be filled with musical entertainment, fun games and prizes for children, including Guitar Hero activities, and inspirational speakers. There will also be chances to win a beautiful quilt, and two auctions of team goody baskets, Relay bracelets and drink Koozies and of course luminary sales that day.
    Everyone is encouraged to come out and support the Chickasaw County Relay for Life. This day is not only for those who are living with cancer, those who have survived cancer, but also for those who have lost a loved one to cancer. Help us to “Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.”