What is: Relay For Life Juanita?

I was asked today to start a Local Voices blog about Relay For Life.  At first, I thought, what could I possibly blog about?  I've never blogged before.  What is a blog anyway?  With those questions in mind and after reading a few blogs I thought...  I can do this... I think.

So, here it goes. 

People have asked me why I am so passionate about Relay for Life. Well the story goes like this...

 I was introduced to Relay for Life last year when my son, Cameron, came home from school and informed me that he would be doing the opening flag ceremony for the very first Relay For Life Juanita.  I asked him what Relay For Life was.  Being a kid of few words, he just said it was a relay to raise money for cancer research.  That was no where near enough information for me so I did some research and decided that I would like to participate.  Keep in mind, this was 3 days before the event.  Not much time to sign up and try to raise a few dollars for my "team" of two ~ Me and my dear hubby Curt.  While there, we heard stories of loss, of fighting, of surviving.  This was all in the first hour of the relay.  Curt and I took some time to reflect on our lives and the people we personally lost to cancer of one form or another. We were shocked at how many people we knew who have had battles with cancer. It was then that we knew that Relay for Life was for us.  While we were walking laps around the Juanita High School track, Curt and I discussed how we saw ourselves being involved with this amazing cause.  We both decided that we wanted to do more with Relay for Life. We approached Dorie Ross, the event coordinator and Aimee Martin, the American Cancer Society representative, and told them we wanted in. That was back in May 2012.

So, here we are, 10 months later. Curt and I are on the committee for Relay for Life Juanita.  I am doing Team Recruitment and Finance and Registration. Curt is doing Advocacy plus helping me any way he can. 

Last year we had a team of 2 ~ Team Dooley.  In 3 days we raised just over $500, thanks to family and friends support.  This year our team is a bit bigger.  We are team Bounce Jiggle Swing with 8 team members.  So far, our team has raised $730.00.  We are well on our way to reaching our goal of $2,500.00. 

So, that's how it began for US. 

We invite everyone to come out and see what Relay For Life is all about.

For more information about Relay For Life and how you can join a team or start a team of your own, go to:  www.juanitarelay.org

 In future blogs, I will keep you up to date on our fundraisers, how close we are to our goals and information on where the money we raise goes.

I Relay for those who lost their battle with cancer:

Cookie Hopp - my mom

Louise Hopp - my grandma

Rudy Patek - Cookie's brother and Louise's son (my Uncle)
Antoinette Kosman - my dad's mom. She died the year before I was born.
Grace Kosman - my great-aunt.
Chris Malone - my Aunt

Alida Krieger - Step-grandma

Bill Gunkel - close family friend
Carrol Dooley - Curt's mom

Leona Dooley - Curt's grandma
Dave Champlin - Curt's uncle

Donna - friend
Jay - 2nd grader at Franklin Elementary School

I Relay for those who are winning the battle against cancer:

Barb Krieger Hopp - Step-mom

Helen - friend
Dorie - friend
Robi - Curt's cousin

Mason - 2nd grader at Franklin Elementary School

MeLissa - friend

Laurie Ebner - friend

Next year, I hope the winning list is longer then the lost list.

Love to all,
Shari