Cancer Knows No Boundaries - My Experience With Relay For Life

by Sonya H.
(PA, US)

Kaden & Me at Relay For Life 2008 with our team spirit trophy

My first experience with Relay For Life was in 1996. My mother-in-law had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer earlier that year and had invited us to come and watch her do the survivor lap. I remember sitting at Mansion Park watching all the survivors walking that lap and the tears just started flowing and wouldn't stop. I couldn't believe how many little kids were there walking that lap as survivors. Little did I know that 13 years later I would be relaying for one of those kids. That kid is my nephew Kaden. The little boy in the story above. When he was diagnosed I felt a fear that I've never known before. You see Kaden may only be my nephew but to me he is more like my son. I love him and his brother Parker like I love my own two children. Anybody who knows Kaden knows how special he is. He and I have a bond that I will never have with anyone else. After the shock of his diagnosis was over thoughts of that relay in 1996 came over me and I knew what I had to do. I talked to my sister and together she and I started our team....Kaden's team. 2008 was our first year and we had an amazing experience. We are very excited for this year as Kaden has been chosen to be the junior ambassador. We can't wait to relay for him and all the other children battling this monster. I LOVE YOU BUBBIES!