With nearly half of Canadians expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, I’m more determined than ever to help change the future of this disease. My family and friends could be and have been affected. And that makes it personal.

In fall of 2011, my grandmother was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors, an aggressive form of cancer that spreads throughout the body. She was told that she was terminal and had 6 months to a year at most to live. That period of time was so scary for our family, expecting the worst after every text and every phone call. Then those six months passed. Then the year, then two, then against all odds, after ten years, she was declared as no longer terminal. She is still fighting today and with the help of loved ones and her own willpower, she is making it through.

Some people who are affected by this disease are not as lucky as my grandmother was with her support system and access to quality healthcare. This is what makes relay so important, they provide compassionate support systems, work with governments to establish cancer-preventing health policies and funding promising cancer research.

I relay to help those people who aren't as fortunate as my grandmother in that sense. Herself and others make this such an important cause for me to support.

Please help me reach my fundraising goal. No matter how much you donate, every dollar goes a long way. A donation of $25, $50 or $100 could help ensure a team of researchers has the resources they need to make a life-changing discovery, or a patient has access to support services when they need it most.

Think about the impact we can make together!