Reasons to Relay #9 -- Mothers

The 2013 Relay For Life of Bethel is an overnight, grassroots fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  This year's event will take place on Saturday, June 8.  Since it's 2013, we'll be sharing 13 reasons why YOU should join us at Relay For Life.  Reason #9 is Mothers.

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While many of us will celebrate Mother's Day this weekend with brunch or flowers, others will experience a day of reflection and remembrance.  One such person is long-time Relayer Allison -- this is her story:

"I was diagnosed with a brain tumor when I was ten. I had surgery, and the tumor was removed. It came back, though, when I was 14, leading to two more surgeries, 6 weeks of radiation and a year of chemo before I was 17. This, though, is not the only reason I Relay. 

It was my mom who was there for me every moment of my cancer diagnosis. My father and my brother did their parts, but it was my mom who gave up almost everything for me. She was the one who told off the pediatrician who said my symptoms were a result of me lying to get out of going to school. It was her that fought for me when teachers were unwilling to come up with alternatives for me to get through class at home. It was also her who cheered me on when I graduated from college. It was her, along with my dad, who walked me down the aisle to give me away at my wedding. 

She wasn’t there, however, this past September to witness the birth of my daughter, her granddaughter, her first grandchild. 

My mom passed away almost 4 years ago (June 1, 2009) after a second battle with breast cancer that riddled her body with inoperable tumors. 

In a flash, the survivor became the caregiver and the caregiver became the survivor. I took care of her during her last eight months, and while I’m grateful I had that time with her, no one should have to watch their parent waste away. She was my best friend, and it kills me that my last memories of her are that of a shell of a once-great woman. 

It’s enough that my daughter has to worry about getting cancer herself – my husband is a survivor, too. My biggest concern is that I don’t want her to ever know what that feels like to watch her mother die. I don’t want your daughters (and sons) to know what that feels like, either. 

My first Mother’s Day is bittersweet. As I look through all of the cards, I can’t help but pick out the one I would likely send her. I hear my friends talk of their Mother’s Day plans, and I’m desperately sad that I won’t be having brunch with my daughter and my mom. Simply put, this is why I Relay."

Please join Allison on June 8 to celebrate and remember her mother and all of the mothers (and other loved ones) who have survived cancer and those we have lost.  Let's raise the funds to put an end to cancer and allow more people to celebrate a happy Mother's Day.

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For more information about the Relay For Life of Bethel, please visit our website.

Previous Reasons to Relay:

#1: Research
#2: Education
#3: Advocacy
#4: Patient Services 
#5: Celebrate 
#6: Remember
#7: Fight Back 
#8: Community