CCS Relay for Life ~ Edmonton 2011

This Relay means a lot to me, in many different ways than others. My Great Grandmother had breast cancer back in the '70's, and she had an mastectomy and never had to worry about it until she was in her 80's. Seeing her in so much pain was almost too much for me to handle, as I was only 17, but the reality of it I learned how nasty cancer was. I lost my great grandmother to lymphoma when I was in high school and it broke my heart, I miss her every day. I miss her house, the smell of her perfume, the sound of her making breakfast in the morning and her laughter when my dad made a dumb joke. I Relay in memory of her. I love you, GG. I also relay in honour of my grandma, Irene for kicking cancer with just surgery and in memory if my husband, Steve's grandma, who had cancer but was too fragile for any sort of treatment and passed away on November 2, 2008.


I was running late this year, I made it just in time for the Bagpipes and the Luminary ceremony. I was out taking pictures and this gentalman caught my eye. I am not too sure who's luminary he was lighting, but he was very teary eyed and I felt like I was intruding on a very private moment. As I was taking this picture, he glanced up at me and right away I thought it was going to be angry, but he gave me a little smile and nod, I bawled. (Hope didn't help the situation when I got back to the tent!! :)

Some time before the Relay, well more like a few months ago, my Grandpa ended up in the hospital. His prostate was working at all, he could not use the bathroom, and my immediate thought was cancer. They did not run any tests (not that anyone has told me anyways) to find out if it is cancer. I am really not too sure how I feel about this, but I guess in the long run, because he is older (almost 82) the tests would be too hard on his body. I F'ING hate CANCER!! My grandpa is like Superman to me, he can't have it, and he WILL NOT die because of it!!

I took the above picture of a friend (I got down on the wen ground to get a good shot!!), her dad was diagnosted with prostate cancer in December and is currently undergoing radiation to get rid of this cancer. This was her second year at the Leduc Relay for Life, and she is a powerhouse!! She spoke at the Luminary ceremony and made everyone on "Team Hope" and her surprise guests have a good cry. We love you Christine, and are here when/if you need us!! I wish I could take away the pain you and your family are feeling but all I can do is support you in your goal to make cancer HISTORY!



When I relay, it isn't just for me, and for my family members that have/had been touched by cancer (most of my great grandparents passed away from it, a few being breat cancer and lung cancer), but for everyone who is going through surgery, or treatments or on any medications. We will beat this.

~Deanna