34. Hear a Survivor’s Story and Join the Relay for Life

A Barrington mom will be sharing deeply personal details about her ongoing fight with cancer before a huge crowd gathering at Barrington High School on Friday night. She’ll be speaking on behalf of area cancer survivors before the “Survivors Lap” which kicks off Barrington’s 2011 American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Her name is Sue McGrath and her story is as moving as it is motivating. But Sue represents just one of hundreds of Barrington cancer survivors for whom this weekend’s Relay will plant new seeds of hope.

“On April Fool’s Day 2005, I got the call that we all dread…” Sue will open up to us on Friday night about what happened next after she was told her breast biopsy was malignant. When she heard the news, she immediately immersed herself in research about her disease. “…Not only is there major surgery, but there is also the fear associated with chemotherapy and radiation. And then there is the fear of dying…” Sue made quick decisions. She had her surgery. She received 33 cancer treatments in six weeks and meals from friends and neighbors for many months until her cancer was gone. But her story doesn’t end here…

Just before Christmas of 2009, Sue learned she had Ovarian Cancer. When she told me about this diagnosis, she didn’t dwell on details of her treatment. As she shared stories of how the people in her life again came to her side to help, her voice became so quiet, I was afraid we’d lost our phone connection. And then I could hear little cracks of emotion. “My friends, the people who have helped me through all this, when they are helping you get better and they’re helping you continue to be positive and be hopeful, it’s hard to know how to thank them for that. It’s such an enormous gift.”

When Sue was asked in January to speak on behalf of cancer survivors this upcoming Friday, her Ovarian cancer was in remission. But she had a relapse in April and is again undergoing treatment. Despite the bad news, her outlook is as positive as it was when she received her first cancer diagnosis. “My whole attitude was, I’ll do this and when I’m done I’m going to be a survivor. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to beat the cancer. I’m a five-and-a-half year survivor. The cancer is back, but I’m still a survivor.”

And she gives the American Cancer Society a whole lot of credit for helping her beat the disease. From money spent on cancer research, to support networks for cancer patients and their families, to ongoing initiatives in cancer prevention, Sue says the American Cancer Society has helped her in immeasurable ways.

You can help Sue and other survivors beat cancer by taking part in this weekend’s Barrington Relay for Life.  It’s easy and it’s going to be really fun!  If you’re not familiar with how the Relay works, here’s the scoop. It’s an overnight event organized by volunteers to fight cancer. Barrington’s Relay kicks off at 6 p.m. this Friday, June 10th, at Barrington High School Stadium, 616 W. Main Street.

• 6:30 p.m. – Area cancer survivors will walk the first lap to demonstrate how the American Cancer Society’s efforts really help the Relay’s mission of creating a “world with more birthdays”.
• Food offered by Millrose Restaurant and Jimano’s Pizza
• Non-stop food and Live entertainment throughout, including a performance by veteran Chicago singer and Barrington’s own Ron Hawking and a long list local performers
• A kids’ tent with face painting, hair extensions, bouncy house, magician and other fun activities
• 10 p.m. – A silent auction with fabulous offerings
• 10:30 p.m. – A “Luminaria Ceremony” will be held, honoring people who have been touched by cancer and remembering loved ones lost to the disease.
• An army of Barrington’s best bakers has banded together to create the world’s largest cupcake tower, with plans to contribute 15,000 cupcakes to celebrate the survivors.
• Up to 2,000 people are expected to attend what’s being billed as Barrington’s Biggest Birthday Party.

It’s a party that’s been in the works for many months.  132 Barrington teams with over 1,000 participants have already signed up to walk the track all night long.  Those teams alone have already raised $183,000.  The American Cancer Society projects that Barrington will reach it’s $250,000 fundraising goal, but Relay organizer, Joanne Dalessandro, believes Barrington might raise up to $350,000 for cancer research this weekend.  That would be the most money raised by Barrington’s Relay for Life in the past ten years.  But Joanne says the goals go way beyond money.  “We just want to create a sense of community for all the survivors and their extended families dealing with cancer because it touches so many.  It’s so prevalent today and, indirectly, we’re all caregivers, whether it’s your own relative, your immediate family, your friends or your neighbors.”

If you’d like to get involved, there are several options:

• Come on out on Friday night.  Spend some time at the Relay and show your support to the survivors.
• Click HERE to see all of the registered Barrington teams.  You’ll find teams of dancers, athletes, cheerleaders, Barrington businesses and many other local organizations on the list.  Choose one that interests you, join their team or make a donation to their team page online.
• Sign up to Relay with Team 365 Barrington.  We’d love your company.  You can join our team by clicking HERE or make a contribution, in any amount, by clicking HERE.
• Donate $50,000.  That’s right!  Barrington Hills resident, Kimberly Duchossois has pledged to match donations up to $50,000.  Why not take her up on her offer???
• Find more information at RelayForLifeBarrington.com.

For a survivor like Sue, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is so much more than just a fundraiser. She says it’s way for her to say thanks, to give back and to help others facing cancer. And she’d like to say thanks to those who plan to take part. “They give people who are going through cancer hope and they show them how important you are to them and that just empowers you to fight harder.”