Why We Relay

by Kyra McLean, age 12

Cancer. It’s an ugly word. I’m only twelve years old but I know it does ugly things to people. Wouldn’t it be nice if … it would disappear in the blink of an eye?

Last year after one of my soccer games my mom asked if I’d be interested in being a relayer with her. While at the game, two other moms were talking about their team and the Relay for Life that was taking place in our community at the end of June.

My mom talked to me about why people walk and why she wanted to. One of her friends had just tested positive for BRCA1. You know the medical condition that actress Angelina Jolie wrote about? My mom’s friend went through the same surgeries to increase her chances of not getting cancer. She was only 30.

My great aunt had passed away from cancer after a short battle. I didn’t know her well, but she was a mom, a sister, a wife, an aunt and a grandmom.

My neighbor passed away too after a short battle with lung cancer. Every Wednesday night their driveway and the street were filled with cars. The husband and wife would have their children and their grandchildren over for dinner. Every Wednesday. Then, one week on a different night there were more cars than usual. We learned that the husband passed away.

We walked for them and for many that we do not even know. Besides raising money and awareness, we had so much fun. We walked around the high school track all night. We wore silly costumes and won prizes for our Lady Gaga outfits. We made crazy newspaper and duct tape dresses for the Fashion Runway. We cheered, we laughed, we cried, we celebrated and we remembered.

This year we are also walking for my mom’s friend’s grandson. He is two years old. He wasn’t feeling well and while being treated for an unrelated illness the doctors diagnosed him with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. He is only two years old and he is adorable. We saw a picture of him at Christmas, smiling back at the camera and standing next to a wooden sign that read “HOPE.” He has just finished his last round of chemotherapy. Time will tell if he will be okay. We hope that he will be.

This year we are also walking for a high school friend of my mom’s, who also just underwent the same surgeries as Angelina Jolie.

Our family has been luckier than others. We walk to hope more families don’t have to rely on luck.

Here’s why we relay:

We relay for those who are suffering through chemotherapy and those who have become too weak because of it and can't.

We relay for those who can’t because they lost their fight.

We relay for the previvors; those who were courageous enough to make health choices and made it through.

We relay for the survivors who claim victory over this horrible disease.

We relay to show support for the strength in our community.

We relay to help more people celebrate more birthdays.

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You may not have been directly affected by cancer, but you probably know someone who has. Please come to the high school track and cheer on the survivors who’ll be there, say a prayer for those who can’t be and join us as we walk together as a community.

Relay for Life of Salem, NH

Saturday, June 22, 4:00 p.m.

Salem High School Track

If you have any questions or would like to sign up to walk contact salem_relay@CANCER.org.