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My Reason To Relay

May 21, 2008


Cancer is a nasty word we are all too familiar with. But it wasn’t until March 3, 1987 that it entered my world.

My dad had gone in for some tests earlier and now my parents were off to get the results, on this day I would soon never forget. Being so late in the day, I thought it peculiar that my mom had not called me with the results yet. I picked up the phone and proceeded to dial my parents’ number. What came next was something I can still feel in my heart . . . the news. My dad had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

This was the inception of my mission to help others from experiencing this kind of trauma in their lives. I called my local unit of the Canadian Cancer Society and asked how I could help. It was just at the time that the Daffodil door-to-door campaign was about to start in April. I did my first year of canvassing in 1987 and also did some volunteer work in their office. I eventually moved away from my neighborhood where I had been canvassing for years, but I still had the desire to return to this area and see my neighbours and friends. Cancer touches everyone in some way or another and this campaigning was a nice way to share our stories and connect with others. The joy I received every year from seeing these friends was tremendous. Unfortunately, my Dad passed away almost two years after being diagnosed with lung cancer. I miss him terribly every day.

I had read and heard about the Relay for Life and every year I would purchase a luminary to be displayed at the event in memory of my dad; however, I had never attended this event in person. One year I decided I would attend the relay and see what it was all about. I met a classmate of mine who had been participating for a few years and she invited me to stay and take part in the candlelight ceremony that evening. I was deeply moved at how many people were there and the comradeship that was displayed among them. I said to my friend, “Next year I am going to start a team.” I contacted some friends from high school and the team Harley’s Angels was up and running. Our first relay was in 2006 and in 2007 I recruited some of the Colony team. Each year the team surpassed our fund-raising goal and we have all had so much fun doing it. I was surprised by the generosity of people who were there to support my teammates, the Canadian Cancer Society, and me. We have a great group of friends on the team, and it’s now an annual event that none of us wants to miss.

The Relay for Life is a very heartwarming event for me. It truly is an incredible sight to see all the teams out there, rain or shine, working together with one common goal in mind. . . . to help put an end to Cancer. Please come by and visit us June 14, 2008 at Mahon Park in North Vancouver. Look for the “COLONY” tent.

I would like to thank all who have supported Harley’s Angels and the Canadian Cancer Society in the past. I hope one day we reach that goal.

If you are interested in joining our team or starting a team of your own, David and I would be more than happy to speak with you and help you to get started. Please contact me (Susan Gough) at 604.688.2604 or at sgough@colonybuildings.com. You can visit my Relay Web site at Susan’s Relay Page or David Thompson’s page at David’s Relay Page for more Information or also at the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life site click here.

© 2008, Colony Management Inc..
www.colonybuildings.com

My Reason To Relay
Posted by Colony Management on Wednesday, May 21st, 2008


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