On May 24th, 2020, just over a month after a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, Kelly Dunham (nee Buchanan)'s light was extinguished from this world. If you got the privilege to meet my mom, you know that her light was too bright to miss. Once word of her passing started spreading, the tributes that flooded in came by no surprise. No matter where they met her or what she was to them, they all spoke to her warm and bright demeanor. Her short fight and quick passing shook many to the core.

My idea for making 'Kelly's Klan' and participating in the 2022 Sarnia Relay for Life came from three things. Number one, rallying my mom’s people together to raise money and fight to eventually find a cure for this horrible disease that we all have a personal connection to. Number two, to carry on my mom’s belief in the power of togetherness and fighting for what you believe in. Relays for a cause are nothing new to me, we walked many of them together for other family and friends, and now they hit that much closer to home. Number three, being able to do it so close to her hometown. The people of Point Edward, Sarnia, and surrounding areas were a huge part of my mom’s life and became a huge part of mine as well.

I have set our teams fundraising goal to $1000 with hopes to meet or even better, surpass that. Whether you are able to attend or not, your support would be so appreciated, any amount helps. On that note, the relay is being held Saturday, June 11, 2022. I encourage anyone who is able to make it, to register as a team member. I am in the process of working on team shirts, proceeds of which will go towards the fundraiser. I will post about that when details are finalized. Thank you for taking the time to read our teams story and for any and all support!

Mama/Kelly, we all love and miss you. Thank you for inspiring me to use your story and my own light to make an impact.

-Ally Dunham