How has cancer touched your life?

18 years ago, in the fall of 1993, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. In the years immediately following her diagnosis, she underwent numerous surgeries and fought long and hard to conquer this invader to her body. Until the spring of last year, she had been cancer-free for over 5 years.

 

Last spring, her cancer returned...worse than before. She again underwent surgery, this time resulting in an colostomy. That was followed by months and months of chemo. She has again emerged victorious from the other side. Her doctors are cautiously optimistic. But cancer had definitely touched our lives.

That's why I am so excited to share with you an opportunity make a difference in the battle against cancer. Soooo many advancements have been made...but there is still so much work left to do!

My friend Regina, from Kess Designs and Kess Fitness is joining the 2011 Pickaway County Relay for Life. Each team chooses a cancer they are relaying to battle, and Regina chose two:

• Pancreatic in memory of her mother who lost the fight to this terrible disease, and
• Lymphoma in memory of her father-in-law who also lost the fight to cancer

I'm sure both of them are looking down and smiling with pride over her hard work and dedication!

There are several ways you can support Regina's efforts to battle this disease, and all are very painless!

1. Join her team or make a direct donation online from the comfort of your computer!
2. Do you Zumba? My bff does and loves it! Regina is also selling gift cards to KESS Fitness
   for Zumba. You can purchase $25 (5 paid sessions), $50 (10 paid sessions) and $100 (20 paid sessions) gift cards. For each gift card sold  through May 14, KESS will give $2 to the relay team! Buy for yourself or for a friend! Remember 6th session is always free!
3. Are you an Avon girl? Just purchase your favorite Avon products to help Regina raise funds for her team! 
4. Maybe you're a foodie and Pampered Chef is more your thing? Whether you shop for yourself or for gifts for someone special, you're purchase can make a difference! Just click "Shop Online" in the bottom left corner and enter the host name: First name: Relay for Last name: Life and shop their online catalog!
5. Do you remember my Thirty-One Gifts party and give-a-way? Shop Thirty-One Gifts to help raise funds! For every $31 spent in May, you can earn Mini Zipper Pouch for only $2.31! Just click on the "Shop" link above, then click on event.
6. Is jewelry more your thing? Anyone who books a party through Premier Jewelry consultant Bonnie Moran before May 13 (in-home or book party!) will earn 10% of their party total for the Relay team as well as a free bracelet for herself just for booking. Hostesses can also earn $100 in free jewelry!
7. Regina is also selling tickets for 3 raffle opportunities with the drawings to take place on May 14. Tickets must be purchased separately for each of the following items to be given away: Thirty-One Gifts wristlet wallet ($1/ticket—drawn on May 14), 1 month free Zumba ($1/ticket—4 winners drawn on May 13 and 14), and a 50/50 drawing ($1/ticket or $5/6 tickets to be drawn on May 14). Contact Regina via e-mail for tickets.

I applaud Regina for her efforts in battling this disease that has taken so much from so many. Please support her efforts in the fight against cancer!