Tomorrow and Sunday The American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life" is being held at our local high school track. For the past several years, Marilyn & I have been participating in this event and raising money for the American Cancer Society. Between the book sale that Marilyn ran at the school where she teaches and personal donations, we received from relatives and friends, we have raised over $1200 this year.

The event starts off with a lap around the track for "survivors" and then one for survivors and caregivers. The survivors are given special T-shirts, and it has always been a very moving experience for us, with the crowd cheering and applauding as the relay begins honoring the survivors.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES!

This year I will proudly be one of the survivors and will have my children and grandchildren in the crowd supporting us.

My hope is that next year, I can participate in this wonderful fund raiser in a new way. There wasn't enough time this year between my surgery and this event to get anything off the ground.

I haven't discussed this with Brian yet, but I would like to set up a booth at the event using the Oral Cancer Foundation as a backdrop and give free oral cancer screenings to everyone. I intend to get all the dentists and hygienists in my practice involved. "Early Detection" will be the theme and the OCF will get exposure.

Any suggestions and ideas about this would be greatly appreciated.

Jerry

Jerry

Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.

"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"