My name is Ryann Collins and my story starts with the importance of fund raising events like Relay for Life.

I am writing this a year and a half after my cancer diagnosis, I am a new survivor.

May 5th, 2023 was the worst day of my life, being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Also known as AML.

2023 was a very scary and terrifying year that I spent fighting for my life.

Like most grade 12 students, I was looking forward to prom, graduation and time with my friends and family before attending university.

Instead I immediately began intense chemotherapy treatment that made me very sick.

I received blood products from donors almost daily and a stem cell transplant from a donor in October 2023 that saved my life.

Today I am not cured of Leukemia, I am in remission, there is no cure. And until we can find one the best way to help is by donating, whether that be money, blood, platelets, or stem cells.

What helped me get through being stuck in the hospital for 8 months was my out look on life.

If I could find a way to be positive about the situation given to me, so could others

But I wasn’t the only one fighting for my life in there

There Was so many babies, young children, adults and teenagers fighting for their life just like I was.

There are millions fighting their own cancer.

You never know who it will be. It could be someone sitting in your dorm, someone at your dinner table, a friend, a parent a brother or sister.

They are why we walk relay for life, why we ask for donations, and why we must never give up fighting for a cure.

My team and I know how important it is to raise money for cancer research so no other person misses their future.

By donating and fundraising you are investing in the life of someone who matters.

My team and I each have our own experiences with cancer. But together we all fight for one thing. A cure.