Relay For Life: Celebrate. Remember. Fight!

Katie

Brought to you by Relay For Life of Riverside

People say becoming a mother changes you. I was prepared for that. I was prepared to experience the greatest love ever, to endure the sleepless nights, to have a simple smile bring tears to my eyes, to disregard the fact that I had not showered in a few days. I knew it would be my most wonderful adventure yet. I also knew it would bring the most challenging moments in my life. I still have much that awaits me on both these fronts.

What caught me off guard is how becoming a mother would also shape and change beliefs, motivations and even fears that had become a part of me long before “I” became “we.” My biggest fears have escalated since having kids. Now I’m fearful of things not regarding how they will affect me, but how they will affect my little ones.

One of my greatest fears is Cancer. Ironically, my dad practiced Oncology for 45 years. People think this means that I know a lot about Cancer. I don’t know much at all. It wasn’t ever anything we talked about at home as we were growing up. As brilliant as my dad is in this field, I actually learned about Cancer when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. She found it early from a self-breast exam just nine months after a mammogram showed an “all clear.” She is a fighter and an eight-year survivor. I am so proud of her. I also watched my grandma battle breast cancer. Her fight included 14 years of remission and then a reoccurrence that took her life in 2002. Watching the two most important women in my life take on this battle was hard. It is humbling to witness that kind of strength and determination. To watch my mom go through chemo, lose her hair and have days she didn’t want to get out of bed. Yet, through it all, each of her four kids were still her top priority and her greatest concern.

Katie

Cancer then became a constant thought in my mind. The self-breast exams started. I wanted to be more educated about it. I also found myself wanting to show my mom how proud I was of her. My mom had become involved with one of the American Cancer Society’s events called Relay For Life. It’s a fundraising event in which people come together to celebrate, honor and remember those who battle any type of cancer. She first asked me to participate in the event by walking the Survivor lap with her. It was a touching and powerful moment for her, my dad and myself. She and my dad formed a team and each year they continued their involvement. I also participated with them on a greater scale each time. I found it to be the best way to demonstrate my love and support for my family. It also felt great to fight against what had become one of my greatest fears. I want to be a part of the solution to Cancer. I want to make it go away. I don’t want my kids ever to have to hear the words “you have Cancer.” I don’t want to ever tell my kids “I have Cancer.” So for me, I find the best way to face my fear is to volunteer my time to fight it.

My two kids have become my most driving force and motivation behind why I volunteer with the American Cancer Society. I’ve taken on the Event Lead role for the 2016 Relay For Life of Riverside in Jacksonville. Most weeks it’s like a part-time job. It is the most rewarding part time job I can imagine. I get to work with a committee of other great volunteers that are inspired to help make a difference. I also get to keep myself engaged in the community, utilizing some of my professional skills that otherwise don’t get as much exercise during my full time stay at home mom role.

I first started Relaying five years ago. Back then, I became involved to show support for my mom and dad. I now Relay to celebrate my mom, honor my Dad and all his patients, remember my Grammy, and most importantly, I Relay for my two kids and their future. I Relay to help find a cure.

Power to the Purple FINAL

Join your local American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Riverside Saturday, January 9th, from 5-9 PM at Intuition for a night of live music, Mojo’s, raffle, silent and live auction and MORE! All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling 904.391.3618 or by e-mailing [email protected].

About the Author

Katie Luke Cleo JaneKatie lives in Ortega Forest with her husband Sean and their two small children. She recently decided to step away from her 13-year career in the wine industry to be at home with three-year-old Luke and one-year-old Cleo Jane. Katie enjoys running, wine (of course), and the Jacksonville restaurant scene. Having grown up in Jacksonville, she loves that they are raising their kids here. They can often be found at many of Riverside/Avondale’s great parks, picnicking by the St. John’s River and spending time at the Jacksonville Zoo.

 

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. The American Cancer Society is helping people stay well, helping people get well, finding cures and fighting back. Relay For Life is the signature fundraising activity of the American Cancer Society and the largest nonprofit fundraiser in the world. Relay For Life is a family-friendly walk that raises awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. Dollars raised through Relay For Life help fund our lifesaving mission, programs and services, and education and advocacy efforts.

Thank you, Relay For Life of Riverside for sponsoring this post.

 

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