Relay for Life Survivor's Stories

For the second article in our series on Relay for Life (), we focus on the survivors who participate in the fundraiser and what it means to them. Three cancer survivors - who are also on the Planning Committee for Belmont’s Relay for Life - share their personal stories below.

Randy Silver

In 2002 I turned 60. In 2004 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was terrified, fearful of dying and not living to walk my daughter down the aisle. Then came the research. I studied more about cancer than I had ever studied about anything in high school, college or graduate school combined. This included the PAMF and ACS websites on prostate cancer. I sought a second opinion. I sent out 50 emails to family and friends, sharing with them what was going on with me. It wasn't healthy for me to go through this alone. They were with me every step of the way.

It was then time for me to make the treatment choice - I opted for 42 days of radiation. There was the care and professionalism from the entire team at PAMF. I've had virtually no side effects. Eight years later, I still stop by PAMF to say "hello". I attended group regularly, I am a man-to-man counselor and I have photographed Relay for Life, pro bono, for the past 4 years. I share humor whenever I can get away with it.

I credit a lot of my success in dealing with cancer to my attitude, and as the Beatles and Joe Crocker sang, "with a lot of help from my friends".

And the debt I owe to my wife Anne, my daughter Erica and my little dachshund Meg can never be repaid. 

Jackie Smith

I will never forget the call: in 2007, I received a call from Kaiser that my mammogram had come back and they had seen something on it. They wanted me to come back in for more tests. I remember praying that it would be nothing and that everything would be okay. In May of 2007, after retaking my mammogram and having a small mass in my breast biopsied, I learned that I had breast cancer. I could not believe it.

I now had to fight cancer to save my life. I had participated in the American Cancer Society in the past, and walked to help raise funds to fight cancer and help find a cure. But this time it was different. I now had cancer and was fighting for myself also. I am so thankful that my cancer was detected early. I learned that I would need to have surgery to have the mass removed and undergo eight weeks of radiation. With my faith in God, and the love and support of my family and close friends, I was able to get through this time. And here it is five years later. I have been actively volunteering for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life; I'm cancer free and dedicated more than ever to raising funds to help find a cure for cancer.

The Relay is near and dear to my heart and I want to spread the word that it is important to stay healthy and keep up with your doctor’s appointments, because early detection is so important, and to support a great cause like the Relay for Life so we can have more birthdays, more celebrations, and a happy, healthy life!

Gina Harper

Cancer, I hate to say, has been as very large part of my life story. My mom died from cancer when I was three. She left four children and a loving husband. My dad remarried and the wonderful person who raised me died of cancer when I was 41. Six months later I was told I had cancer and swore (unlike my mom) that I would not leave my three children without a mom. My oldest was three at the time and my twins were two. I am here 13 years later cancer free and thankful every day to be alive. I was asked to be on the Board for the Belmont Relay for Life this year, and I could not think of a greater honor. I hope you will all join me this year in helping me fight cancer - for all of those that have fought and lost, and for their families, let's all make a difference.

A message from Relay for Life:

Survivors are the reason we Relay.

A survivor is anyone who has ever heard the words "You have cancer". We invite all cancer survivors in the community to attend Belmont’s Relay For Life on July 28th and 29th at Oracle’s Marine View Park.

Survivors are the guests of honor at Relay. Our relay will open with the Survivors Lap where survivors lead the way around the track while being honored and applauded by all participants. Being a part of the Survivors Lap allows survivors to celebrate what they've overcome while inspiring and motivating their community to fight. Survivors are proof that cancer can be defeated.

If you would like to participate in this year's Survivors Lap or other activities, please sign up today at www.relayforlife.org/belmontca.

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