Who knows? Maybe we can cure cancer

By Corin Salnave

Most people have been devastated by cancer in some way, whether you have the disease yourself, know someone who has/had it, or have lost a loved one to it.
The American Cancer Society of Troutdale/Fairview is having a Relay for Life June 23 and 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mt. Hood Community College.

The Relay for Life allows anyone and everyone to help fight cancer. Groups of people will be camping out, taking turns walking and/or running around MHCC’s track. The runners continue during the night because “cancer never sleeps.”

Much like “Run for the Arts” you may remember from grade schools, donations are taken by the runners and given to the American Cancer Society to help find a cure.

When I was 7 years old my best friend was diagnosed with Leukemia. Most of our childhood friendship was spent in a hospital room with me sitting by her side. We would lie together in her hospital bed and watch cartoons. We laughed and cried together. Unlike most childhood friendships, we were truly close.

Her parents and mine did everything they could to raise the money necessary to pay for her bone marrow transplant. We sold candy bars, put up fliers and a bank account was established for donations.

I wanted desperately to be the marrow donor. I was tested, but was not a match. I cried for hours that night. It is most likely that if it had not been for the immense shortage of funds, my friend Jennifer Spoelstra would be alive today. She has not been forgotten though, and a tree was planted at my childhood home in her honor.

For Jennifer, and others with cancer, Relay for Life continues to be held, not to pay for someone’s surgery, but to pay for research to find a cure.

Think of all the people suffering from the disease. Now think about all of their family and friends whose lives will be impacted greatly by their loved one’s sickness and possible death.

Nowadays, Leukemia in children leaves parents with more options and better statistics. But for those people who do not have a cure, and those who are sure to come, consider giving money to the cause, or participating in the Relay for Life.

S.A.B. and Rho Theta sponsor the Relay for Life. For more information, please contact: Holly Ball at 503-795-3946 or [email protected] or Destiny Ingram at 503-491-7020 or [email protected]