Relay for Life: A survivor’s story
By By Tresa McGhee, Guest columnist
Relay for Life is an annual event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The purpose of this event is not only to raise money for cancer research, but also pay honor to those who have lost the battle against cancer and to celebrate the survivors. My story is not just about surviving cancer but about celebrating the joys of life.
When I was 3-years-old, my mother died of leukemia during childbirth. She was only 33 years old. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and in the 1960s, there was very little doctors could do to fight the disease. It was only two weeks from the day my mother found out she had leukemia until the day she died. She did not receive any treatment but was given blood to keep her as strong as possible. She gave birth to a baby girl that was born too early and too small. The doctors told my father that our family should not get attached to this tiny beauty because she would never live.
Throughout my life, I have lost many people that I loved dearly to cancer. When I was in the fifth grade, I lost a very good friend to cancer. Since then, I have lost cousins, aunts, my wonderful brother-in-law, another best friend, and, just recently, a dear uncle to cancer. Also, I have far too many personal friends and family members that are battling this disease daily.
On Dec. 20, 2004, I was told I had leukemia. Dr. Dukes did not have to explain to me what that meant. I have known all my life what leukemia is and what it can do to a person and a family. And so my journey began.
Throughout my struggle, I was never given any false hopes. The doctors explained to me how bad it was and how bad it could be. I went through several rounds of strong chemotherapy. Just when I thought I had it licked, I was told that I must have a bone marrow transplant. I thought the chemo was the worst thing I had ever been through, but I was wrong. I was told that without a transplant the cancer would come back and my chances of survival would not be very good. I was told that finding a suitable bone marrow donor would not be easy. If my blood relatives didn’t match, it could take months or longer to find a suitable donor.
Praise be to God for that little sister who was born too early and too small. God saved her all those years ago and on May 13, 2005 she gave her bone marrow to save my life. The doctors said it was an “almost” perfect match. However, there can always be the chance of rejection.
A bone marrow transplant can be deadly but it can also be life saving.
Thankfully, I have received all kinds of tests, treatments and medications that were not available during my mother’s time, even some that were not available five years ago.
I relay because of the people I loved and lost to cancer and for those I love who are cancer survivors.
I relay because there is a cure for a cancer and through research it will be found. The money raised by the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life goes to help in this battle to find a cure.
I relay because I have a beautiful 18-year-old daughter and I don’t want to have her fight the battle against cancer that I fought. I want her children to look at her someday and ask “Mom, what is cancer?” and for her to be able to say, “it was a disease that killed a lot of people a long time ago. But don’t worry – they found a cure.”
