When I was 15, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. When I was 15, he passed away after 7 long months of fighting. I don't like the idea that he "lost" his battle with cancer, because it was never a fair fight. By the time doctors found the tumour, there was nothing that could truly be done. I had to quickly come to terms with the fact that he would miss countless milestones in my life, that I would never get the chance to know him further than the 15 years I got. I'm 21 now, but sometimes I still feel 15. As if I haven't moved from that time in my life, as if I'm unable to, or better yet scared to. My life was flipped upside down, and I don't think it'll ever return to the correct axis. He was always one of my biggest supporters, and I'm incapable of putting into words how much I miss him, I just know it'll be forever. 

I relay for my dad, and for all of the families faced with similar situations- in the hopes that eventually, there will be a long future for those living with cancer/a future without cancer at all, so that no one misses a graduation, a wedding, a party, a milestone of any kind, anymore. 

A donation to the Canadian Cancer Society goes towards research funding, developing and delivering care for Canadians living with cancer, and numerous support services. By donating, you are helping your community! When my dad was sick, my own community rallied around my family to help us through everything, and Relay for Life is pretty much that on a much larger scale. 

I would be endlessly grateful to any who decide to donate to my relay page, and on a broader scale, my team's page. Last year, we (Carleton) raised over 105k, and Carleton has previously been the #1 fundraiser amongst Canadian universities and colleges! Help us reach that goal and more again by either donating, sharing, or joining/making a team of your own! It takes all of us to make a change, no matter how big or small.

Thank you thank you thank you xxx