Do you support Relay for Life? Check out how Anita support the American Cancer Society.

We are excited to have a guest blog post today from my best friend, Anita. She has been touched by Cancer in many ways throughout her life. I will be volunteering to photograph her charity event this Friday where she and others will shave their head, beards and mustaches in the name of research and donations for her Relay for Life Team benefiting the American Cancer Society. Here is her story....

Anita and her daughter Ava at Clicks for Cure Photo Party over the summer.

Hello everyone. My name is Anita Jenkins and I am the Team Captain for Mary’s Elephants Relay For Life Team of Meadville. I was honored to be asked to write something for my best friends blog, so I thought I would tell you about an event that I am holding as a Relay For Life fundraiser. In January I will be holding a fundraiser called a Charity Head Shave. I am a bit nervous about the fundraiser, as I will be shaving off about ten inches of my hair, right down to my scalp. January is a rather cold month here in Northwest Pennsylvania, but, as we all know, a cancer patient never has the choice of when they will lose their hair due to chemotherapy. I do have this choice, I do not have cancer. Some have asked me why I don’t change the date for a warmer month. I suppose that I feel that I would like to do this in January for a few reasons. One is to create more “buzz” about Relay For Life and what it is all about. I also picked this specific date, January 10^th because it’s a reminder that Cancer does take lives…it took the life of my grandmother, Mary Chatley on that date in 2013. Hopefully it will raise awareness for Relay For Life, maybe it will inspire someone to donate or even start their own team! For the most part, I have received a lot of support from the community in holding the Head Shave Fundraiser.

Here is how/why I decided that this was something I wanted to do. A beautiful friend of mine, Jennifer, was diagnosed with breast cancer. A few of her family members and her best friend shaved their heads with her, to show support. Her best friend is a really close friend of mine as well. A benefit was held for Jen and another one of her friends shaved her hair off that night at the benefit. Jen was there, and we were dancing to the music of the band. I made sure to tell her that even though she is bald she is still just as beautiful and radiant as before. And then it happened. She asked me “why don’t you shave your head?” We kind of laughed it off at that time, but it started to weigh heavy on my heart, just as that feeling had taken over her other friends. It was something that kept coming up. It’s like that little tugging at my heart, it was constantly there. But there was something else. I knew that if I was going to shave my head, that I couldn’t do it for one person that I know who was diagnosed with cancer. After all, my grandmother, my nephew, my cousin, my step-grandfather, my father-in-law, my husband’s grandfather, my friend, and lots of other people I know have been through it! So, with that in mind, I knew that I could make this a fundraiser. I decided that I wanted to see if I could get other people interested in being a participant and gave people options…shave your head, shave your beard, shave your mustache, or even donate inches of your hair. AND…they could always put a dollar amount needed in order to shave! I like giving people options. They get to be in control of their appearance in the future. J Turns out, there are quite a few people interested! So far, as of writing this on December 20, 2013…there are seven people who will be shaving something!! J

As I was talking to some members of the community about getting donations, I realized that there are a few people in this little town that didn’t know what Relay For Life is all about…why it exists and why we, as participants are so passionate about raising money for the American Cancer Society. Everyone who gets involved with Relay For Life has their own personal story as to why they got involved. Relay For Life gives this community an opportunity to celebrate the lives of the people who have battled the beast we know as cancer, lets us remember those who we have lost, and encourage those still fighting to give it their all. Teams gather around a track, each setting up their own tents at the Crawford County Fairgrounds. Cancer does not sleep, so they like having someone from each team walking on the track at all times. Let me tell you, last year was my first year as a participant and I did not sleep at all the entire 24 + hours!!! INSANE!! I was ready to drop when I got home. At Relay, we celebrate those who are survivors, letting them start out Relay with a Survivors Lap. The survivors are the proof the cancer can be defeated.

Relay isn’t just about survivors. Relay is also a way to remember our loved ones that we have lost and one of the most amazing and moving parts of Relay is the Luminaria Ceremony. They have bags, that can be purchased pre-event or even at Relay that you can put a person’s name or picture in memory, in honor, or in support of someone who has had cancer. Each bag lines the track and has a candle inside it that is lite.

Like I said, everyone participates for their own reasons. I found it a healing experience. One I needed to have. Mary’s Elephants is a team that was created in memory of my grandmother, Mary Chatley. Relay was an experience that allowed me to be with family and meet new people who have all been through the same feelings, the same fears, and who have the same passion for finding a cure. Lasting memories were made during those two days! I was so happy to have my co-workers, friends and family there with me. Did you know that the American Cancer Society is the largest private funder of cancer research?

No matter why you participate in Relay For Life, just know that every step you take you are helping the American Cancer Society. If you are interested in forming a team, it’s easy to do. You can go to www.relayforlife.org and search for an event near you, create a team and then enjoy reading all about the fun things that you can do to fundraise!

 ~ Anita

Recap from Clicks for a Cure. They also did a small outdoor event bringing $40 more for their total.

Thank you Anita for taking the courage to share your story and your continued support for Clicks for a Cause!