From dusk til dawn, from cradle to grave, life has a way of etching our hearts with warm memories as well as singeing them with despair. How Jean Hill chose to use them is not only her gift to her family, but her family’s gift to our Relay community.
The American Cancer Society’s 20th Relay For Life Mission Viejo is just a month away. In the weeks and days to come, it is our desire for you to meet our teams, volunteers, friends, family and members of your community.
On Mother’s Day, here is one family’s journey of pain, loss, triumph and love shared with you as told by Jean Hill.
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“My daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Fritz Snijdewind were thrilled to hear in late ’95 they were having another child due the first week of August 1996.”
However, in early ’96, Judy was told, “You have cancer.” Specifically, she had Hodgkin’s. Rather than ending the pregnancy, she chose to wait for treatment until after the baby was born. On July 10, labor was induced. Alissa was born and welcomed by her family and her three-year-old sister, Amber.
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Judy’s treatment for Hodgkin’s followed soon after. Fritz was by her side during her first hospital stay. I was able to arrange a vacation from work to be with Judy for her next two hospital stays. Treatment went well
Again, in 1998, Judy was told, “You have cancer.” This time she had melanoma, but at about the same time her brother, Jeff Hill was told he had kidney cancer. Judy went through treatment for melanoma and Jeff had surgery to remove one of his kidneys. He did not need any therapy because the cancer had not spread. His wife Christine was by his side as his caregiver.
Later, my husband, Tom and I decided to sell our house in Huntington Beach. We moved to Mission Viejo to be closer to our children. In 2000, we retired from work making it easier to help Judy’s family, get the girls to school and stay with Judy until Fritz was home from work.
We attended our first, American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Mission Viejo in June 2001. Our family and friends including Judy and Jeff were there.
In March 2002, 13 days before her 40th birthday, Judy lost her battle to cancer. Had she lived, she would still be fighting against cancer, but because she can’t, her family and friends are doing it for her.
We started two teams at Relay that year- one with adults, “Judy’s Angels” and the other one with kids. Most of our team members have served on the Relay committee in some capacity. Jeff was an Event Co-chair for two years.
These words are spoken from a loving Mother, Grandmother and Caregiver-Jean Hill. Thank you, Jean and Hill family.
We would love to hear your story and invite you to participate in our 20th Relay For Life/Mission Viejo on June 7. Join us as we fight for one more day, one more sunset, one more birthday. Remember, every day is a special occasion.
On Wed., May 21, 2014 from 6 to 9 pm we are hosting a Roaring 20’s Survivors’ Dinner/Dance at Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, MV 92692. It is free to all cancer survivors, caregivers and their families and friends.
If you want to RSVP, please email PatriceWilson@cox.net or call at 949/395-7966. We won’t turn anyone away, but we need survivors to pre-register so we know how many people are coming.
For more information or to register for the 20th Relay For Life/Mission Viejo go to www.mvrelay.org, www.facebook.com/mvrelay or twitter @mv_RelayForLife.
If you have any questions, please call Margot Ferron, Publicity Chair at 949/309-1235, gomargotgo@aol.com.
