American cancer society

Relay for Life

 

April 5, 2006

 

 

Hi everyone.  Polka Dot Chix Chapter II has begun only this year I am calling my team the Jr. Polka Dot Chix.  Why the change?  I have come to realize that not only do we have to educate adults but children as well have to learn about cancer and how it affects so many people.  Members of my team this year range in age from nine to twelve along with my parents and myself.  All of the younger members of my team have lost people to cancer during this past year.  It was so very difficult for them to watch their loved ones go through their sickness.  Just to refresh your memory, in January of 1991, I was diagnosed with Stage III Neuroblastoma.  With the help of doctors, research and God, I was one of the lucky ones and I was able to beat this terrible disease. 

 

Right after the Relay 2005, my grandmother was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer.  She died three months later on the day of the awards ceremony for the Relay.  In those three months she lost just under 100 pounds.  The cancer literally ate her body away.  This woman was one of the greatest people you could have ever met.  Her family was her life and she was always there for us to support us in anyway that she could.  It all started on Father’s Day with a pain in her back.  After running a few tests, the cancer was detected and it was all down hill from there.  Small Cell Lung Cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers that there is.  Peter Jennings and Dana Reeves are two other people that have died from this in the last year.  My younger sisters and I miss her so much.  It just isn’t fair.  The other members of my team lost a dear cousin to cancer.  A beautiful young mother and wife; another victim. 

 

 “The Jr. Polka Dot Chix” name has a special meaning.  If you recall from last year, we are trying to connect the dots and when all of the dots have been joined, the cure for cancer will have been achieved.  The only way all of the dots can be connected is through research and of course that takes funds.  Last year my team was able to raise over $4,000.00 through the hard work of ten great teammates.  This year, we would like to beat that amount.  We have come up with the idea of filling the world’s largest piggy bank.  We are not asking for a lot.  Any size donation would be appreciated whether it’s fifty cents or fifty dollars.  I realize that it seems every time you turn around, someone is asking you for money.  Taxes are going up.  The price of a gallon of gas is out of this world and you cannot go to the grocery store without spending $100.00 and that’s not including any meat.  I know I have no right to ask you to dig deep again but I feel that I must because cancer has no friends.  It treats everyone the same regardless of age or race.  I was only one at the time of my diagnosis.  Over the past six weeks, I have heard about three cases of local people from Grand Island being diagnosed.  The enemy once again has made itself present.  When will it end?  When will this disease be defeated never to take again?   

 

As a survivor, I feel it is my responsibility to help in this journey.  My future plans are to become a pediatric oncologist.  Until then, I will do what I can to improve the education of people and to support organizations like the American Cancer Society. 

 

All donations can be sent to me with all checks made out to the American Cancer Society.  All donations are tax deductible.  I truly believe that this is a cause that needs to continue being supported for it helps so many. 

 

Thank you so much for your time and God Bless.

 

Sincerely,

 

Alicia J. Sommer

10th Grade Student At Grand Island High School

 

Please send donations payable to The American Cancer Society to:

Alicia Sommer

98 Pellamwood Court

Grand Island, NY  14072

 

Team Members:  Julianne Lavalle, Cassie LoBrutto, Elizabeth LoBrutto, Jessie LoBrutto, Alicia Sommer, Debbie Sommer, Emily Sommer, Kevin Sommer, Becky Sommer-Stufkosky, Jenna Stufkosky and Rich Stufkosky