The first time I was touched by cancer was in 1997. My husband’s boss, mentor and best friend was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was a wonderful man and like a father to my husband. We were young and he was so patient and loving with us. He was the best man at our wedding in 1999. He was bald from the chemo and it was a difficult evening for him. It was so hard to watch him struggle. He died less than a year later.

I hate the ‘C’ word and, like many, live in fear of it touching me or one of my dearest. That is why I’m doing something about it this weekend. I, along with 4 million people around the planet, will come together to Celebrate, Remember and Fight back at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

The event is about celebrating birthdays of those that are fighting and winning the fight.

My next-door neighbor of ten years, a very sweet man that my kids call grandpa, was diagnosed with bladder cancer last year. Even as he went through chemo and a few surgeries, he remained optimistic and always had his bowl of lollipops ready anytime the kids saw him outside. He decided against a very drastic surgery, ordered some special herbs from Canada and has been cancer free for about six months.

This loving man lost his own son to a brain tumor. It was sudden. No warning. His son had two young girls at the time. There is a beautiful picture of his son that hangs in the den of their home. It was taken the week he died. He is holding his baby girl and pushing the other in the swings. He looks so alive and young. This loving grandpa, through tears, told me that he could not die because his granddaughters were not grown yet. One granddaughter’s goal is to be a doctor and fight cancer.

So, I will bring my kids this weekend and we will walk. From 9 a.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday. There will be bands playing, silly contests like hula-hoops and three legged races and a chili cook-off. And we will celebrate life and I will remember those that I have lost. I will think about those that are fighting right now to live while I comfortably type this. I will be thankful for all I have. I will love all those around me.

My birthday is Monday and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate. So if you don’t have plans Saturday, come to Sacramento Waldorf School to see me, celebrate my birthday and walk with me a bit. I’ll have a hug and a smile waiting for you.

For more details or to donate: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=48890&pg=entry