In this issue
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Making it count
Nora Kessel: beats cancer and fights back through Relay For Life

Fighting cancer, one integrin at a time
Dr. Cindy Miranti

In memory of her father
Kea Deppe: an all-around ACS volunteer

Fight Back this month at Indiana Lobby Day

What's your New Year's resolution?
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Health Check Quiz
Reduce your cancer risk

Healthy Recipe
Lemon cake with brandied blueberry sauce

GLO Grads
Savanna Rivest
Community Representative
Lakeshore Staff

Making it count
The American Cancer Society has been a part of Nora Kessel’s life for as long as she can remember. “When I was a little girl, my mom would pick up brown paper packages from an ACS office and deliver them to my grandma. I didn't know it until I was much older, but they contained hand made bed pads for cancer patients, [to make] my grandma comfortable while she fought colon cancer.”

A Hartland, Michigan resident, Nora started participating in her local Relay For Life four years before she was diagnosed with breast cancer on December 15, 2005. Within a month from her diagnosis, she had had a double mastectomy.

“Relay allows me to feel some power against cancer and share my heart with others who have been touched by cancer,” said Nora. “I've never been told I was cancer free, since I keep getting odd rashes and symptoms, but I consider myself a survivor who’s fighting back everyday.”

Nora certainly has been fighting back! Employing her experience and skill at Relay For Life, she has encouraged and inspired many others to make a difference. All of her efforts were noted at the last Great Lakes Relay For Life Leadership Conference.

She had been asked by the event organizers to read a poem at the conference during the Fight Back ceremony. When she went to practice the night before, she was introduced to international hip-hop and spoken word recording artist, “Mike-E” Ellison and his crew, who were also performing. Something about Nora’s fight moved Mike-E and he dedicated his surprise performance to Nora. “I was in a room full of 500 incredible and equally worthy people. It was an honor and a beautifully humbling moment to be singled out.”

“I am an ordinary woman who is surviving cancer,” said Nora. “Every day I remember my blessings and I also remember those who didn't beat the beast, and I pray that I deserve the honor and privilege of surviving-for now.”

Survivors like Nora are the driving force behind our fight to end cancer. They are also the hope that sustains our mission here at the American Cancer Society. We are grateful for you all.

If you want to fight back and get involved in a Relay For Life near you, visit www.RelayForLife.org.

Pictured: Nora and her husband Tom