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2005 Relay for Life
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Photos by Matt Pranger
The 2005 San Juan County Relay for Life kicked off at 3 p.m. with a Survivors' Lap. Wearing purple t-shirs, islanders who have battled cancer strode around the Friday Harbor High School track.
Before they took to the track, nine-year-old Alyssa Hallock read a speech about her experiences with relatives and friends who have had cancer.
Hi, my name is Alyssa Hallock. I’m 9 and this fall I’ll be in fifth grade. I do a lot of activities like Girl Scouts, sports, 4-H and my personal favorite ... Relay for Life.
My Grandma Carla was diagnosed with ovarian cancer Christmas Eve 2001. When she lost all of her hair from chemo, my Uncle Stacey shaved his long hair. After four different types of chemo, she had to give up the fight and she died November 9, 2002. It was hard for me since I was only 7. So, two weeks later I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love.
My Grandma Carla was really special to me and we loved spending time together. Sometimes it’s hard to remember any thing other than the cancer. Since Grandma died, it’s been hard to figure out how to deal with it all. I used to be afraid to even say the word die, but I decided it would help me feel better if I could help others with cancer. That’s what inspired me to do Relay for Life.
No one should have to have those memories, but I have a good friend who also lost someone special. Becky lost her Mom, Sherry Jane, only four months after finding out she had cancer. I didn’t know Sherry Jane, but when Becky hurts, I hurt too because she’s my friend. Becky was busy with other plans last year, but when cancer touched her life so closely, she decided to team up with me and some other friends to participate in Relay for Life.
I know someone else who has been touched by cancer. Rebekah’s brother, Lee, was in the exact same hospital in Texas as Sherry Jane. It’s strange to think that two women who play softball together in Friday Harbor had family members fighting cancer together in Texas. Lee was lucky his cancer went into remission and still is.
I have a new friend, Granny. She has lymphoma and is so brave in her fight. She’s a tough lady, but needs some help. We can’t find a cure ourselves but we can sure help the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society is for all these people, the people fighting, winning, and losing. These people and their friends and families need our help. And that’s what we’re here to do.
So is what we’re doing really going to help? I definitely think so. I recently watched a documentary on some new studies in ovarian cancer. I can’t tell you how excited I was! I knew that my efforts have made even a small difference.
Last year I walked in Relay for Life for the first time. It was the first time for San Juan County too. I walked 13 miles for my team, even through the rain, until 3 in the morning. Our team raised a lot of money so the American Cancer Society can help all the people that have and will be touched by cancer. They try to help find a cure so no one has to lose their grandma like I did. It will be fun to do Relay for Life again.
What are we all getting out of Relay for Life? Hopefully, we won’t get wet like we did last year! But I know one thing we will get: We’ll get the personal satisfaction that we’ve helped the fight against cancer.
So what are we standing around for? Let’s get started!
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