Today's highlight was my meeting with American Cancer Society...Love the organization, love the people who work for them, and love the people they help.
I have been volunteering with ACS since High School and my life is not complete without them! My college years were cram packed with studying....but my spare time was spent loving my extra curricular activities including my Chemistry and Biology honors fraternities, student government, Chi Omega, and whatever else I found to entertain myself. Next to Chi Omega, the majority of my free time was spent starting Colleges Against Cancer (CAC). This is basically an organization who's goal is to educate people on campus about various kinds of cancer, preventative measures that can be taken, and resources that are available to the general public through ACS. We also try to help raise support for the ACS. Since this organization was not present on campus before, it took a few years to get it up and running. Thank goodness for a WONDERFUL ACS staff partner, Jessica, and my sweet saving grace, Ashley, who bailed me out when it all became a little overwhelming. But we did it, and CAC continues to grow on campus. What a blessing! From CAC came Relay For Life of Carthage College. RFL is a community event that universities have made into a campus event as well... It is basically an overnight fundraiser in which everyone should take part! (really you will not regret it!)
My Sweet Chi Omega sisters at the first annual Relay For Life of Carthage College. Thanks for you support throughout the WHOLE process.
Once I graduated my life felt so empty without the responsibilities of CAC and RFL....so I decided to get back into the swing of things and volunteer at the Peoria ACS. Sweet Claire, my staff partner, (ironically the name of the person who was the reason I originally got involved with ACS in high school) has quickly embraced me and given me multiple opportunities to get involved. She schedules my 'rides' which is where you take people to treatments if they cannot gain transportation through family or friends (They are always looking for volunteers so feel free to contact me if you want to be a driver!). And these short trips are such a blessing as you get to enjoy conversations with the kind souls you you transport...Love all my passengers and am so happy they have all finished treatments! Celebration for them!
Claire has also helped me join the Committee for Morton's Relay For Life! I am already counting down the days until summer :o) Welcome to my 'Relay Tunnel' where it becomes impossible to understand how people have never heard of Relay or heaven forbid don't get involved, so I will apologize to friends and family as I bombard you all with Relay :o) Morton's goal this year is $111,000, so I am hoping we reach $120,000. And once things are underway you can expect many more Relay blogs.
But for now I am grateful that I can be involved! I am so thankful for people who spend every day of their life working for ACS, and for the people who help people like me get involved! I am especially thankful for each day I have with all of my friends and family who are battling cancer. Thankful each day for the memories of those who are no longer with us. And blessed to know that no matter what the futures holds, I will see you all again someday. ACS and Relay are just one way I can honor each and every one of you. You all hold a special place in my heart!
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