Every year, my friends and family tell me I should be recognized for being a cancer survivor. So this year I gave in.

I have been free of cervical cancer since 2001. It was the scariest and most painful two years of my life but I made it through with the help of my family and friends! Without them, I am sure my outcome would have been different. They gave me the strength to fight it.

— Meghan Robinson, Friday Harbor

Relay for Life is July 25-26 on high school track
The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life for San Juan County will be held in Friday Harbor on July 25-26.

The first lap of Relay for Life is reserved to recognize survivors of cancer and celebrate their lives. If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, you are a survivor and are invited to participate.

The event will be held on the Friday Harbor High School track and starts on July 25 at 5:30 p.m. After the opening ceremony, the Survivor’s Lap will begin. The survivors will be served a light dinner fare after their lap to celebrate their success in battling cancer and their continued fight.

This year, organizers also invite all caregivers to take a lap. “We want to recognize and honor them for their dedication to their loved ones and the others they have assisted in making their lives easier,” Jackie Armstrong said.

“San Juan Island is participating in this event to find a cure for cancer. We are hopeful the spirit and commitment from all the teams entered will unite our community in raising funds for research to save many more lives.”

T-shirts and medals will be presented to the survivors at the event.

If you want to register for Relay for Life, contact Survivor Chairperson Jackie Armstrong, 378-1334, or jackie@rockisland.com.

A registration and information booth will be set up at the Summer Arts Fair, July 19-20, in front of the Court House, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you want to register on the day of Relay for Life, arrive at 4:30 p.m.

For more information, click

here.

To register to participate in Relay for Life or to make a donation, contact Deanna Osborn, 378-6877, relay_gal@yahoo.com; or Vicky Thalacker, 378-2300, vickyt@rockisland.com.