Why I Relay

When I was a freshman in high school, I had to say goodbye to my grandpa. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was out on my high school's soccer field watching the boy's freshman team play, when I heard a whistle. It's a whistle I am very familiar with. It's a whistle by my dad.

I turned around to see him motioning me that it was time to go. I was confused why he was here, usually he was at work around this time. But then I saw his face and knew something was wrong.

My sister and I joined Dad in the car and he said it was time to say goodbye.

Opa, what we called my grandpa (it's actually German for grandpa) would lose his battle with Leukemia that September day.

I remember walking into their house and seeing him sitting in his favorite chair, asleep, and hooked up to an oxygen tank. I remember the noises and the smell. Mom and dad said we needed to go say goodbye so my sisters and cousins took turns hugging and kissing him one last time.

When it was my turn I walked up, wrapped my arms around his shoulders and said, "I love you Opa." It was so difficult. I mean, what do you say in those situations? It's so scary, and so surreal.

Every since we were little, Opa would wait for one of us to hug him and then scream really loud to startle us. It was hilarious and one of my favorite things he'd do. When Ali went up to hug him, despite being exhausted and sick, he screamed one last time, making us all laugh and smile, and then well up with tears.

I remember walking into the bathroom, locking the door behind me and crying. But the tears wouldn't come as heavily as I thought they would. It wasn't until the funeral that the tears really came.

Two years after his death, I got involved with something called Relay for Life, a branch of the American Cancer Society. It's an all-night walk that allows teams to raise money and awareness for cancer research. That year there were 12 teams and we raised roughly $8,000.

The following year, my senior year of high school, I was a part of the planning committee for Relay for Life of East County Youth. That year, we had 33 teams participate and raised over $30,000.

Two days ago, KGW released this article on new cancer therapy. Could this be the next step in curing Leukemia? This article cannot help but raise people's hopes, especially those who are somehow connected with cancer.

I encourage you to read the article. I wanted to share this story because again, it's helped shape who I am. I had to say goodbye to my grandpa, and it was so, so, so difficult. Maybe this new therapy will prevent others from having to do the same. And maybe, one day, lead to the overall cure of cancer.