For the past eight years, 16-year-old Jesse Pizana has been actively involved in Relay For Life in Lenawee County, Michigan. Jesse devotes many hours to making the event a success and the fact that this busy high school student gives so much of his time to ACS is inspiring. But what makes his story even more amazing is that Jesse is also a cancer survivor.

When the American Cancer Society added the Relay For Life of Lenawee Northeast in 2005, Jesse and his mom, Wendy, took charge of the inaugural event, serving as co-chairs. Jesse was excited about going to his first committee meeting, but it was on the day of the meeting that Jesse, then 13 years old, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His first reaction was, “I have a committee meeting tonight and I have to be there. Mom and Dad, what time is our meeting?”

Throughout his treatments, which included chemotherapy, radiation, and a stem cell transplant, Jesse never stopped thinking about or helping with Relay For Life. With the support of his friends, family, fellow students, and teachers, Jesse was able to complete his freshman year at Tecumseh High School with his classmates.

Jesse’s dedication has made him an inspiration to other students who have become involved with Relay For Life. With their help, he was able to raise almost $5,000 last year to support the American Cancer Society. “It’s great to receive all of the support from my friends and family,” said Jesse.

Danielle, Jesse’s sister, leads the Tecumseh High School Challenge and encourages other students to get involved. From holding fundraising concerts to donating their allowance, the students have made a commitment to help find a cure.

The Pizana family shares this commitment, having lost loved ones to cancer and watched family members battle the disease. Jesse’s father, Dwayne, was recently diagnosed with cancer, but he is determined to continue the fight and walk the survivor lap with Jesse this year.

The family has always hung on to their faith and never given up, making Relay For Life a family affair. Jesse’s parents helped him with all of his duties when he was receiving his treatments. Dwayne will join Jesse this year as co-chair of the event, and Jesse’s sister, grandma, and great aunt are on the survivor committee.

Jesse’s story recently received national attention through the virtual home of Relay For Life, www.RelayForLife.org. Jesse and Wendy have both been featured on the web site, thanks in part to local video producer Ken Kintner. Since 2003, Ken has been donating a great deal of time and energy to create videos to recruit Relay volunteers. To watch Jesse’s story, visit the Relay For Life web site at www.RelayForLife.org/relay/jessepizana.

By participating in a Relay For Life event near you, you too can honor cancer survivors, pay tribute to the lives lost to the disease, and raise money to help fight it – all right in your community. To find out how you can join the fight against cancer, call your American Cancer Society toll-free at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Pictured: Jesse, Wendy, Danielle, and Dwayne Pizana.