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I realized the other day that I had never done a follow up post regarding my team's Relay for Life website, which you probably won't recall, but I had said I would let you know when it was up and running.

Behind the scenes of Noah and the Arks

While I hate to play favorites, I think of all the websites I've done so far, this is my favorite. It turned out well, if I do say so myself. It makes an impact. Let me tell you a little about this labor of love. Without a doubt, it was emotionally challenging to pull this site together, particularly after Ginny died. Even now, as I type this, tears are overwhelming me. Upon arriving to the site you'll land on a poem that my sister-in-law Kara wrote this past year as it became apparent that at least in Ginny's fight, cancer was winning. With that and her brother's own ongoing battle with cancer this poem had been building word by word, piece by piece in her mind and needing her testimonial for the website inspired her to take it from heart to paper.

Other things that you'll find while perusing the site are three stories. These stories can be found under the "Our reason for relaying" tab. Noah, our team's namesake, did an incredible job sharing his story - from learning of his diagnosis through treatment and what Relay for Life means to him. I can tell you, he completely wowed me the first time I read it. Paul is my dad and he was diagnosed with kidney cancer when I was five-years-old. He sat down with me and we wrote his tale of life with cancer. My dad was so incredibly lucky. I feel like I should note that while his kidney cancer is under control he has been diagnosed with skin cancer and has various procedures done about twice a year. For some reason we didn't broach that side of things on the site. And then there's Ginny's story. This year's Relay for Life will be on Ginny's birthday...Bittersweet. The story you'll find under her name is the one I wrote for Examiner.

Next on the site you'll find a growing page of ourteam's testimonials - why we relay. Each time another member of the team sends me their piece, I am wowed at the different approaches we all take in explaining why Relay for Life is so important to us. Five of our team members have contributed testimonials so far.

Our next tab takes you to money page - or how can you help? Here we have it set up for you to order luminaries for Relay (we're hoping to get a PayPal type thing going there soon), along with a list of our upcoming fundraisers. I feel I need to point out a hidden link on this page because it's incredible. On this page, you will find a link to one of our raffle items, which is a photo session with one of our team members. This link will take you to examples of her work and an accompanying song that for me is so powerful because it reminds me of Ginny. In fact, we used it in the video we made for her family.

I hope you'll check out our team's website and pass the link along. Be sure to sign the guest book! Oh, also on several of the pages throughout the website, you'll see ourHonor/Memory Roll, which lists the people we know with cancer and those who are no longer with us. In guest book land you can leave a message for us to add names to our list.

Noah and the Arks - Relay for Life

www.noahrelayforlife.weebly.com 


*(Originally written/posted on November 6, 2010)

 
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Ginny at the 2009 Yellowstone County Relay for Life
Yesterday, I introduced you to the inspiration that is Ginny Hein. It is with great sorrow that I tell you she passed away tonight. I am thankful she is no longer in pain, but my heart is broken for her family and honestly, I can't quite wrap my mind and heart around the idea of a world without Ginny. 

Ginny often commented that she was given this challenge so that she could be an example to others through her faith. She certainly did that and since getting Ginny's story posted, I have been on a quest to get her story to the greatest audience possible. I have been an e-mailing fool and am really hoping to get at least one response. My ideal would be to get a response from the group who penned and perform Ginny's "theme song," Sidewalk Prophets. (You can give the song a listen below).


If you're so inclined, please say a prayer for Ginny and her family - especially her sweet girl. And please, help me share Ginny's story, pass it on. 


*(Originally written/posted on September 11, 2010)

 
I think my heart is breaking bit by bit today. I have been working on developing a website for the Relay for Life team I belong to. It’s not up and running yet, but when it is I’ll post a link and I hope you’ll check it out.

Putting this site together is far more emotionally challenging than I had anticipated when I volunteered to do this for the team. With each story we post and each memory I recall, my heart breaks just a little more. The same question keeps running through my head: "Why isn't there a cure yet?" 

In addition to the this site I’ve been slowly pulling together the story of a friend who is in the midst of a four-year battle with cancer. It’s finished and turned into a great demonstration of Ginny’s faith and strength. 

Let me tell you why I felt Ginny’s story needed to be shared and I hope you’ll go check it out in its entirety. 

Ginny’s story is one that needed to be told if only to be a source of hope and inspiration to not only other families who are going through something similar, but to all of us as we continue to put the daily pieces of our lives together one day at a time. Regardless of what’s happening in Ginny’s life and with her illness, she has maintained her ‘true north’ and that is her faith. It’s easy to believe in something when the going is good, but it’s a true testament to her strength and faith that when the going got rough she held on.Read more

If you like what you read, I ask that you pass on her story to at least one person. I've felt this overwhelming need to share Ginny's story and I'd appreciate your help getting it out there. You can also "Digg" it. 



*(Originally written/posted on September 9, 2010)