In this issue
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ACS volunteer impacts the community by promoting Relay

High School Football teams raise $1,000 to benefit Relay For Life

ACS summer camps programs

CPS-3: Making a difference through research

Cancer diagnosis should not equal lifetime of debt

UV Safety Quiz
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Michigan Celebration at the State Capitol

VOICES photo and video contest!

VOICES in the kitchen

Radio personality and ACS volunteer impacts the community by promoting Relay
Petosky, Michigan, resident and radio personality, Mel Majoros, talks to VOICES about her cancer journey, and invites readers to hear more of her story on her inspiring cancer blog: www.thecancerwarrior.blogspot.com

When did you get involved with ACS/How did you hear about ACS?
I work for a radio station here in Petosky, Michigan, and we do a lot of charity events. I hadn’t really done a charity event so I happened to pick Relay For Life as the charity that I was going to be a part of in June of 2007. A couple of months later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Why do you volunteer for ACS?
Since I was diagnosed, I was able to go on the radio and blog and talk about my cancer. When people hear cancer, they automatically think of a death sentence and people always talk about cancer in hush tones. I think that the more people hear about what actually happens when you’re going through it – as far as side effects, chemo, and radiation – the more information people get, the better it will be, because it’s a scary thing not knowing what’s going to happen, as far as treatments and such.

Tell me about your Public Service Announcements (PSA)?
I’m in a small town and I’m kind of in the public eye as far the radio goes [so it made sense to be in] the PSA spot that I did. With that PSA spot, I wanted to put a face to cancer – even though it’s my face – for people to see that it could be anyone, and [realize that cancer affects everyone] because cancer doesn’t discriminate.

What’s your reason to participate in Relay?
I guess since the first event I ever did was Relay, and then a couple of months later I was diagnosed, it really holds a special spot in my heart, as bizarre as that sounds. I wasn’t there the whole 24 hours the first Relay, I was there at the opening ceremony, and then I went back for the survivor story. It was very very touching. Like some survivors, they feel the need to give back, and I do to. I think the more we can get the word out there about cancer and how it affects everyone, the better. Not every cancer is an automatic death sentence…my cancer wasn’t like that. It’s very devastating, but once you get past the [shock of being diagnosed] then you either crawl into a hole or stand and fight.

Tell us your story in one sentence (challenge question!)?
Participated in the Relay For Life in June 2007, found a lump in my breast in September of 2007, and was diagnosed three weeks before my 38th birthday.

How has being a survivor changed your perspective on life?
I don’t take a lot of things for granted anymore. For example, I used to live in California and work in the TV business where you would just work 12 to 16 hour days. Then you would come home and maybe see your family for five or ten minutes, eat and then go to bed, and then do the exact same thing over and over again. It has taught me to slow down and pay more attention to your family and friends and everything around. Even [though I don’t like snow, to be delighted on] a nice snowy night, and appreciate the little things.

How has being an ACS volunteer fulfilled you?
Especially being the co-chair of the Emmett County Relay, I’ve gotten to do a lot of things that I probably wouldn’t have done being a regular participant. Like getting out there in the public and informing them about cancer. I started doing Relay because I wanted to help my friend out, but I’ve realized that now I’m doing it for the people who have already passed on, and their families, or for the ones who haven’t been diagnosed yet. I’m not really doing it for me anymore.

How has hockey played a role in your journey?
I am the captain of my women’s hockey team here in the Harbor Springs, Petoskey area. And through the radio station we go to the Detroit Red Wings training camp because we air them on our station. I’m a huge hockey fan, surprisingly from living in L.A. and watching the Kings play.

The day that I was diagnosed was the last day of the Red Wings training camp. So, obviously I didn’t go. Since I was recuperating and it was hockey season, I would watch the Red Wings. Last year was the year that the Wings won the Stanley Cup. So obviously they didn’t know me, and they didn’t do it for me, but I just feel that since I am a hockey player and I really enjoy hockey – their perseverance and the way they played is kind of like the way I look at taking on cancer.

When you’re playing hockey and you get knocked down, if you stay down, everything else will be going on around you and you can’t do that, you have to get up and keep skating. It’s the same with cancer; you just have to get up and keep skating, and keep playing the game.

Watch Mel Majoros' PSA for her area Relay For Life events below: