Do you need another reason to Stamp OUT Cancer?

Do you need another reason to help us Stamp OUT Cancer?  Or do you need a reason to come to Relay or to donate... just $10?  Read on.. this is how I feel when I Relay..

I feel blessed to have my mom as a survivor of cancer, not a victim. I feel grateful to have such good friends who supported me and joined me in fighting for the cause. When I see my dad, brother and husband working hard at the grill to make their now famous, sausage grinders, I feel pride. I feel disappointment in myself when my words haven't moved people to join my team or come share in the celebration of life. I feel joy when, during the luminaria ceremony they call out- if you are here because of your grandparent, light your candle now and my 2 and 4 year old boys light their candles off of mine and we are surrounded by thousands of candles in the dark. I feel overwhelmed at the thousands of luminaria bags lit with each name, there are too many. I feel amazement when at the end of the 2 day relay they announce that our little town has raised over $200,000 for cancer research and that the money is still coming in. I feel excitement when I hand over $1000 that our team has raised at our campsite. I feel bummed and sometimes hurt when family members don't come to Relay. I feel rejuvenated when showing a new team member every little detail on the field for the first time. I feel such sadness when I watch a brave little girl with little hair under her hat go around the track in a golf cart with her mom, because she is using all her strength to fight this hideous disease and doesn't have enough left over to walk around the field. I feel commradery to walk around the track and have hands go up and wave and yell hi, it's so good to see you again friend. I feel shocked when I see the amount of purple shirts walking around the track, they are amazing people. I feel anger when I hear that one of my fellow volunteers has been diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer when she has been adamant about check ups. I feel touched to hear the stories of the past year's trials and tribulations from a cancer survivor, sitting around a warm fire at 1 am. I feel defeated when a friend tells me that her father in-law has been diagnosed again for the 2nd time in 2 years. I feel exhausted to even think about doing this again next year. I feel like I can't do it again. But I will, because I am lucky. I am lucky to wake up each morning and kiss my children and husband. I am lucky that I can call my mom and dad on the phone and hear their voice. I am lucky that I am surrounded with such loving, true friends. I am strong, willing and able and I can do this again next year. As long as there is cancer, I feel I have no choice.

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STAMP OUT CANCER with Team Rosemary's Wish

Makayla, Alex, Mom (Rosemary) and Brett

As you may have seen from my Valentines Post, my mom was told she was cancer free six years ago on Valentines Day.  In addition to this being a very tough time for my mom, it was for all of us who love her too.  I brought my mom to Chemotherapy and to the "Look Good, Feel Good" program put on by the American Cancer Society.  My son came with us too, he was 7 months old at the time.  We tried to keep Grammy occupied and laughing.  We bought her popsicle's for the horrible aftertaste of Chemo and brought her a bucket and aphgan when she was on the couch.
It was not easy at all, but we were the lucky ones.  We were lucky to keep her and she was lucky to beat it. 

Much of that is due to the American Cancer Society and all of it's wonderful programs and research.  The other part is due to my mom and her positive attitude throughout.  The doctors told her it makes all the difference when fighting this hideous disease.  I believe it.
After mom had finished her surgeries, chemo and radiation and after seeing everything that the ACS did for her, I wanted to give back.  Give back to the people that let me have my mom back.  That's when I discovered the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

The Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At the Greater Southbridge Relay, teams of people camp out at a McMahon Field and take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, our Relay is an overnight event lasting 20 hours.

Mike, TJ and Dad

Although every Relay For Life is different, there are certain traditions at all Relays, no matter where they are held. These traditions help participants celebrate, remember, and fight back. For more information on Relay, click here. 

I created a team in honor of my mom called "Rosemary's Wish" and have been a team captain for 6 years now.  Every year we have new and old faces joining the team to help sell our now famous sausage grinders, meatball grinders and 4:30 AM (not kidding) egg sandwiches.  
 In addition to selling our grinders, we also have fundraising events.  This year we will be "STAMPING OUT CANCER"!  See the flyer below.  I hope you will be able to join us at either event and spread the word.  I can personally vouch for the local events and research done by the ACS that it is money well spent (as well as a tax donation for you).

Mom is now cancer free and we are excited to be getting to Relay again.  Thank you if you have supported us in the past and if not, I hope you will consider it this year!

Mom and my brother Mike, with Dad clapping in the background.