Dina and I. When she walks her dogs by our house and we aren't outside to show our love, they get stubborn and lay down in front of our driveway. We get dog therapy from her. ;)
Listening to a story from one of the committee members. Her daughter who is now my age, had the same kind of cancer when she was 19.
Had to get a pic with "Jack". He wants you to wear sunscreen. Instantly made me think of a friend Rachel, who went to dance in Heaven this past January at the age of 31 after a long battle with melanoma cancer. Rachel would want me to 'block' myself. ;)
And my wonderful husband. The only thing you ever find him wearing properly are underwear and is his uniform. That was supposed to be a sash, not a belt...but he still proudly wore it ;)I held off in posting this because I knew a story was going to come out in the local paper. Unfortunately I was not able to find the link for you...but an awesome reporter friend of mine sent me the text. :)
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Survivors, caregivers rally and honor those who lost the battle
By Vicki L. Friedman
The Virginian-Pilot
By Vicki L. Friedman
The Virginian-Pilot
SUFFOLK
LIKE MANY at last weekend’s Rockin’ Relay for Life, Averi Pino has a story.
Standing next to the survivors tent at the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy track, she laughed with her husband, who poked fun at her bright-pink bandana.
“She’s so cute with no hair,” he said, and she lit up with a brilliant smile.
Watching her 6- and 3-year-old children play, she said, “God wouldn’t give me anything I couldn’t handle. I feel fortunate this happened to me. I can handle it. I may not understand the reason for this now, but I will.”
Pino is 26. On March 16 she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her chemotherapy treatments began in April.
Pino and hundreds of others were part of the American Cancer Society’s Rockin’ Relay for Life on May 15 and 16. For 12 hours people represented nearly 60 teams in the fight against cancer. Each team had a representative on the track at all times.
The event promotes awareness – signs reminded folks that one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer, breast cancer doesn’t strike only women, and fruits and vegetables are integral parts of prevention.
“Don’t be stubborn like Jack,” one sign read near an oversized donkey. “Use sunscreen.”
Early figures indicate that $155,074 was raised, and more proceeds are expected.
Relay for Life also remembers those who have been lost to the disease and brings together the survivors and their caregivers.
Many from the congregation at East End Baptist Church in Suffolk honored Karen D. Croston, wife of Pastor Marc Croston. Karen Croston, 48, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and died in November. Church members wore pink T-shirts with her image while they walked laps around the track in her memory.
“She was a very loved woman,” said Tamara McBride, the administrative assistant at the church. “She was passionate about the American Cancer Society, passionate about her health. We’re walking for her and other church members who died of this disease.”
For $15 folks could pick up a copy of “Cooks for the Cure,” the cookbook produced by Nansemond River Baptist Church. The offerings include brownie cake, tomato pudding and cheese fondue. Katherine Pond, diagnosed in 2001, has her pecan pie recipe in the book among others.
“Life is so good,” said the 69-year-old from Bennett’s Creek. “It’s so much richer. I’ve gotten so much love and support from my church family. I feel wonderful.”
Alicia Bowman, 60, of Smithfield was used to taking care of everybody else, then she was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She was moved by how much support she received from her community during her recovery, and she marveled at the outpouring of financial support at the Relay for Life.
“A lot of people are cutting back in these hard economic times,” she said. “It shows in this climate that people really do care about other people’s suffering.”
Bowman was at a booth where purple cream pies and purple chocolate ribbons were favorites, given that purple is the official color of Relay for Life. Nearby face painting was a favorite for kids of all ages, while the James River Jazz Band kept the mood festive in the infield. Mini golf and an oversized water slide kept the younger set entertained.
Lyn Roberts took a seat at Bowman’s booth, “Luau Party,” to enjoy a snack and was happy to share memories of her daughter, Rhiannon, whose face was on her shirt. Rhiannon was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s at age 8 and by 17 died of an advanced form of lung cancer.
“I love to talk about her. It keeps it close,” she said. “This is inspiring because it brings back memories, and you see the survivors. It’s also bittersweet.”
Girl Scout Troop 946 was involved, too, behind the push of Elizabeth Campbell, who attends Forest Glen Middle School. She used to walk in the event with her mother, Sandra. Now she wears a button show ing her mom’s picture that reads “My reason to relay.”
“I feel like I’m representing her,” Elizabeth said. “I know she would want me to do this. I know she’s watching me.”
A luminaria ceremony, featuring the glow from candles in paper bags, surrounded the track and provided a circle of light once dusk began. Every bag had a name tag attached – Oscar Eure, George Ellis, Lizzie Dorshal, Linda Drake. Some were in celebration, some in memory. New this year was a special section honoring pets with cancer.
The sight of it all reduced Dee Carlsen to tears the first time she circled the track with her husband.
The 61-year-old survivor from Churchland wore a button showing what once was her bald head painted in brilliant shades of purple. The artwork was done by a street vendor in San Antonio, Carlsen said.
“The doctor gave me three years to live. I’m going on four. This is all very, very touching. Faith and attitude have so much to do with everything.”
---------------------------------------------------
LIKE MANY at last weekend’s Rockin’ Relay for Life, Averi Pino has a story.
Standing next to the survivors tent at the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy track, she laughed with her husband, who poked fun at her bright-pink bandana.
“She’s so cute with no hair,” he said, and she lit up with a brilliant smile.
Watching her 6- and 3-year-old children play, she said, “God wouldn’t give me anything I couldn’t handle. I feel fortunate this happened to me. I can handle it. I may not understand the reason for this now, but I will.”
Pino is 26. On March 16 she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her chemotherapy treatments began in April.
Pino and hundreds of others were part of the American Cancer Society’s Rockin’ Relay for Life on May 15 and 16. For 12 hours people represented nearly 60 teams in the fight against cancer. Each team had a representative on the track at all times.
The event promotes awareness – signs reminded folks that one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer, breast cancer doesn’t strike only women, and fruits and vegetables are integral parts of prevention.
“Don’t be stubborn like Jack,” one sign read near an oversized donkey. “Use sunscreen.”
Early figures indicate that $155,074 was raised, and more proceeds are expected.
Relay for Life also remembers those who have been lost to the disease and brings together the survivors and their caregivers.
Many from the congregation at East End Baptist Church in Suffolk honored Karen D. Croston, wife of Pastor Marc Croston. Karen Croston, 48, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and died in November. Church members wore pink T-shirts with her image while they walked laps around the track in her memory.
“She was a very loved woman,” said Tamara McBride, the administrative assistant at the church. “She was passionate about the American Cancer Society, passionate about her health. We’re walking for her and other church members who died of this disease.”
For $15 folks could pick up a copy of “Cooks for the Cure,” the cookbook produced by Nansemond River Baptist Church. The offerings include brownie cake, tomato pudding and cheese fondue. Katherine Pond, diagnosed in 2001, has her pecan pie recipe in the book among others.
“Life is so good,” said the 69-year-old from Bennett’s Creek. “It’s so much richer. I’ve gotten so much love and support from my church family. I feel wonderful.”
Alicia Bowman, 60, of Smithfield was used to taking care of everybody else, then she was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She was moved by how much support she received from her community during her recovery, and she marveled at the outpouring of financial support at the Relay for Life.
“A lot of people are cutting back in these hard economic times,” she said. “It shows in this climate that people really do care about other people’s suffering.”
Bowman was at a booth where purple cream pies and purple chocolate ribbons were favorites, given that purple is the official color of Relay for Life. Nearby face painting was a favorite for kids of all ages, while the James River Jazz Band kept the mood festive in the infield. Mini golf and an oversized water slide kept the younger set entertained.
Lyn Roberts took a seat at Bowman’s booth, “Luau Party,” to enjoy a snack and was happy to share memories of her daughter, Rhiannon, whose face was on her shirt. Rhiannon was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s at age 8 and by 17 died of an advanced form of lung cancer.
“I love to talk about her. It keeps it close,” she said. “This is inspiring because it brings back memories, and you see the survivors. It’s also bittersweet.”
Girl Scout Troop 946 was involved, too, behind the push of Elizabeth Campbell, who attends Forest Glen Middle School. She used to walk in the event with her mother, Sandra. Now she wears a button show ing her mom’s picture that reads “My reason to relay.”
“I feel like I’m representing her,” Elizabeth said. “I know she would want me to do this. I know she’s watching me.”
A luminaria ceremony, featuring the glow from candles in paper bags, surrounded the track and provided a circle of light once dusk began. Every bag had a name tag attached – Oscar Eure, George Ellis, Lizzie Dorshal, Linda Drake. Some were in celebration, some in memory. New this year was a special section honoring pets with cancer.
The sight of it all reduced Dee Carlsen to tears the first time she circled the track with her husband.
The 61-year-old survivor from Churchland wore a button showing what once was her bald head painted in brilliant shades of purple. The artwork was done by a street vendor in San Antonio, Carlsen said.
“The doctor gave me three years to live. I’m going on four. This is all very, very touching. Faith and attitude have so much to do with everything.”
---------------------------------------------------
Leave your eyes open and your ears turned on at these events. It will do nothing but open you up, tear you up, pump you up and make you smile.
So tell me...do you Relay?
5 comments:
how amazing! This is something I would love to do now!!
You look wonderful Averi...love the pink on you. Max looks so funny...you guys are blessed to have each other!
The write up was really nice! Love your pics!
Love you bunches...
Do you think I relay? Wow dogs huh? They didn't do that here. That's awesome though!
Build your team for next year lady! We are.
Averi, I really believe God allowed all these things to happen because he knew that You Are In Gods Army and You arent afraid to stand up and shout his name for All to hear!!! I Love your strength and courage and Leadership in Everything you do.. You do it for Christ!!!
Keep up the Great Work....!!!
Ya looking good supporting that doo-rag....Nice...!!
Love you!!! Ohhhhhhhhh Tell my nephew...he is definitely a character!!!! Characters Welcome....lol Love all of you So Much!!!!
Averi you look great :O) Max is so silly lol you 2 were made for each other you complete each other in everything .. you both are truely blessed I love you all so very much .. you have always looked good in pink :O)
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