Here is a link with a local eNews article about the Relay: Deerfield Patch Relay for Life article
Relay for Life is a 12-hour event - 6 p.m to 6 a.m. next morning where individuals take turns within their teams to walk the track (in this case, at Deerfield High School) so that a member of each team is on the track continuously through the length of the event. Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. There are many Relay for Life events throughout the country.
RELAY FOR LIFE SPEECH - 6/9/12
The phone rang
early Monday morning. It is my
doctor. “I’d like you to come in
today. I have an opening at 1:00, are
you available?” My follow up appointment
to review test results had been scheduled for Friday. This was not a good sign. At that moment, I knew that my life would
never be the same.
I was
right. That appointment began a long,
ongoing series of tests, scans, treatments and reports that would forever
change my life. I’d have to learn a new
language with terms I never wanted to know - like “adenocarcinoma” and
“stereotactic radiation.” At the same
time I was trying to master this new language, I had to make decisions –
quickly – about treatment options that would impact the length and quality of
my life.
My head was
spinning – and not because of the cancerous lesions that had spread to my brain
from my lungs. I felt numb – like this
was happening to someone else. But it
wasn’t – it was me.
Those
initial days of diagnosis and treatment were an odd combination of whirlwind
and super slow motion. It was so easy to
get lost or feel panicked.
The only way
to get through those dark hours was with the support of others – to listen,
advise, comfort, commiserate and manage the everyday activities that I couldn’t
focus on at the time. That support came
from many places in many forms, including family, friends, community and
organizations like the American Cancer Society and their many resources for
cancer fighters.
I don’t know
how I would have managed without the incredible support I received and I continue
to receive.
My name is
DonnaLee Caringella and I have stage 4 lung cancer with metastasis to the
brain. But I feel lucky. I am lucky because research has made
advancements in cancer treatment that have allowed me to live longer than I
would have 8 or 10 years ago with the same diagnosis, some of that research
funded by the American Cancer Society. I
feel lucky because of the wonderful people who have come into my life to help
me – great doctors and nurses, family, volunteers from support organizations,
old and new friends, even strangers. I
have experienced more goodness, generosity and kindness than I ever knew was
possible.
As a result
of medical advancements and incredible support from others I stand before you
today in full remission with no evidence of disease.
I consider all
of you at this Relay for Life today as my supporters because you are
sacrificing your evening and sleep to be here and you’ve raised funds so the
American Cancer Society can continue to help anyone who has cancer – and there
are a lot of us. I’m sure everyone here
either has a personal experience with this awful disease or knows someone who
has. My sister is a university
professor. After my cancer diagnosis, she
asked her class of 50 students to raise their hands if anyone close to them had
or has cancer. EVERY HAND WENT UP. Cancer affects us all. Like the disease itself, the impact of cancer
spreads to many people beyond those who actually have cancer. You are supporting them as well, since the
American Cancer Society provides assistance to caregivers and families of
cancer patients.
On behalf of
all of us who have heard those fateful words, “you have cancer” and for all of
their loved ones, I thank you. You are
making a difference.
