Three years ago today was the day
that my Grandma Edie lost her battle to pancreatic cancer. A fighter of a
woman, she held her own for multiple months before finally succumbing to one of
the deadliest forms of this disease. I still remember the bleak autumn afternoon when
I got the phone call from my mom who broke the news to me. The rest of the
evening was a blur, I remained quiet and without appetite as I joined my
McTyeire friends for dinner at Woodruff Grill. Though she isn’t with me and my
family anymore, her spirit without a doubt lives on. She is the reason why I
have chosen to dedicate so much of my time, energy, and love to this
organization. She is the reason why I Relay.
The first time I participated in
Relay For Life was the Spring of 2010, the semester after Edith Blacher passed
away. I felt empowered, I camped out all night, I held hands with Kaele as we
circled the track during the Luminaria ceremony. But most importantly of all, I
was moved. Moved to the point of applying to the Executive Committee the
following year. From Recruitment and Retention Co-Chair, to Publicity Co-Chair,
and now Event Co-Chair, I have continuously celebrated Grandma Edie’s life,
remembered all that she lived for, and fought back for a world with less cancer
and more birthdays. If she knew of the amount of time and effort I have
volunteered in her honor, she honestly would probably shake her head and “tuts”
in disapproval at me. Still the most selfless woman I have ever met, she would most
likely insist that she got no recognition whatsoever. Always shining the
spotlight on others, her heart was constantly overflowing with care.
I fight back to reduce the 1 in 71
lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer. I fight back so that Stage IA pancreatic cancer
patients have a 5-year survival rate greater than 14%. I fight back so
researchers can continue searching for new methods to catch this type
of cancer earlier.
I
fight back for Grandma Edie. For the visits to Richmond that ended too
abruptly, for always being one of my biggest soccer fans even in her final days, and on behalf of anyone who had the blessing of being touched by her wonderful
soul. Love ya.
 |
| Grandpa Gene, myself, and Grandma Edie at my Oakton High School graduation in June 2009. |
www.relayforlife.org/emoryga
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