January 18, 2011
I’m wearing purple today. I don’t have many purple clothes. In fact, I don’t really think purple is my color, but one of my old college roomies was recently diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer and I’m wearing it in her honor. Relay for Life, the premiere fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, has identified purple as the color of hope.
It’s fitting that it’s “Power of Purple Week.” Hermiston Relay for Life is doing activities each day this week to raise awareness about cancer and its upcoming Kickoff Rally, which is Friday at 7 p.m., at the Hermiston Conference Center. A potato bar fundraiser, sponsored by the Bud Rich team, will begin at 6 p.m.
I’ve covered the Relay for Life several times over the years. One year after getting my story posted I went back in time for the luminary service. It had special meaning because Joanne Creamer, one of my friends, died from leukemia a couple of years before. Another year, one of the Relay teams was selling “Cancer Sucks” T-shirts. I didn’t buy one, but now I want one.
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| Mary Hensal and Linda Schultz, the "purple police." |
Cancer really does suck. My brother, Mike, recently lost one of his old high school buddies to liver cancer. My brotherman doesn’t have much money, but was able to travel by train to see Dave before he died. When Mike saw him, there was some hope that Dave might be on the upswing, but it was not to be — the cancer had ravaged his body.
And the thing about cancer that really sucks, is it can hit anyone. Sure, some types of cancer are directly related to lifestyle choices, but the majority of cancers are indiscriminate and anyone can be stricken.
The premise behind Relay for Life is “Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.” Celebrate those who have beaten cancer, remember those who have lost their lives to the disease and fight back by raising awareness and money for cancer research in hopes of a cure.
Relay for Life takes place June 17-18 in Pendleton and June 24-25 in Hermiston.
For more information about Hermiston Relay for Life, contact Linda Schultz at 541-564-1871 or Deanna Phelan at 541-561-3031. For more information about Pendleton Relay for Life, contact Robin Alexander at 541-966-1509 or Becca Picknell at 541-377-6798.
I would venture to guess that most people know someone who has been touched by cancer. I know I have, and I’m not satisfied to just sit back and watch. I’m fighting back.
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| A trucker from Bowman Trucking blasts his horn in along Highway 395 in Hermiston Monday as Relay for Life supporters raise awareness for its upcoming kickoff rally |
Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, include general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
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