When my friend Barb asked me to be on her Relay For Life team, I said yes because she had just bought 10 boxes of Girl Scout cookies from my daughter.

I think I would have done it even if Barb had not bought the cookies.

How many of you have been like me, very lucky to be relatively healthy and happy. My marriage is going well despite the days I want to scream or make my husband scream. I have been in one or two car accidents that could have caused much more damage to myself and my passengers.  My kids are healthy, even with my 13-year-old’s bought with pneumonia last summer.

I have been very lucky. But I have also known people who have battled a variety of cancers. One of the other soccer moms when we were in Dynamo Soccer died from breast cancer. Another was a long time farm neighbor who died of brain cancer. I have quilted with a woman whose husband died from pancreatic cancer – just like that.

If I started counting people I have known who beat cancer or succumbed, including my own grandmother and Aunt Barbara, I would run out of digits. The sad truth is this disease is all over the place. It is sneaky and nasty. The person you are changes as the illness progresses.

But that is why there is Relay for Life which takes place at Bishop McNamara High School on June 12 this year. The teams and the walkers collect money to help research, to help people suffering and to bring information to the public about prevention.

Of all of the researchers who have been funded by the American Cancer Society, 44 have received the Nobel Prize which is the highest prize a scientist can receive. We have learned about the link between smoking and lung cancer, the need for colonoscopy and the importance of getting your weight down in regards to prevention.

The other night I was at the Relay For Life team meeting. I saw many people who were committed to raising money to fight, including Marti who raised over $1100 over the internet and her Facebook page. Marti was diagnosed with breast cancer last September. This is her personal battle. But it could hit any of us at any time. Her battle is our battle.

How can you help, you say? You are pretty sure you cannot walk on the day of the relay but you want to do something. Visit the website at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY10IL?sid=81409&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=22183.

Here you can find all sorts of events that are fundraisers for Relay For Life teams. Use a special coupon on certain days to buy pizzas from Monical’s, take part in bowling parties or Bunco parties. There is going to be a breakfast fundraiser at the Knights of Columbus and Paul’s Place. Go to a garage sale or buy some baked goods. Maybe you do not want to do the walk but do not let that stop you from making a difference.

To paraphrase Gandhi, be the change you want to see in the world. This is just one way to do it.

Karyn Bowman lives in Kankakee County with her outdoor writer husband and four children. Become friends with Karyn on Facebook or send an e-mail to momgoestothemovies@sbcglobal.net.