Desert Vista to host Relay for Life

Two weeks into summer vacation, junior Ashley McDermott was told, “You have cancer.” Hodgkin’s lymphoma to be exact.

Fortunately, this type of cancer had a 90 percent cure rate, but by no means was Ashley’s journey easy. She underwent rigorous sessions of chemo and radiation therapy. Her body weakened, her hair fell out, her skin was burned and any semblance of the lifestyle she once knew was obliterated.

But Ashley fought and, with the support of her friends and family, recovered. On March 24, 2007, for the first time in six months she was able to dance on stage.

Sadly, many people are not as fortunate as Ashley. Cancer is the second most common cause of death among adults in the United States, lagging only behind heart disease. The numbers, however, are quickly evening out. Statistics show that there has not been a significant change in the death rate for cancer over the past 50 years, while the rates for other chronic diseases, like heart problems and pneumonia, have decreased substantially.

Although progress has been made, it is not enough to keep up with the number of people who develop this deadly disease.

As a community, we can help. Every year, the American public raises over a billion dollars through Relay for Life - a national fundraiser established by the American Cancer Society. This year the Relay is taking place April 26 and 27 at Desert Vista High School. If you have any questions about registration, fundraising or any other activity, please contact Mark Honaker at onegoodturn@hotmail.com or (480) 706-7900, ext. 1149, voice mail 1618.

Money raised by Relay for Life goes to the development of new drugs and treatments, as well as the improvement and maintenance of early detection cancer programs.

Come out, participate, donate and help make a difference in the lives of millions. The cure is out there somewhere and we can find it.