 "Photo: Julia Rendleman")
While many people spend Thanksgiving surrounded by family discussing snd why they are thankful, Natalie Moreno spent the 2005 holiday adjusting to the news that she had Hodgkin's disease.
Although she faced 12 rounds of chemotherapy and a month of radiation, Moreno, a senior from Sterling studying psychology and theater, said she refused to think negatively.
"I didn't let myself think anything other than 'I have a cold, and it'll be over soon, and I'll be just fine, damn it,'" she said.
Since her cancer went into remission in 2006, Moreno has become involved in planning Relay for Life, an event held by the American Cancer Society to raise money to combat the disease. Today, she will join others at the Relay for Life Kickoff Celebration at 7 p.m. in the Student Center International Lounge.
Moreno said she understands the importance of cancer research.
She said she first knew something was wrong when she woke up one morning and discovered a hard knot on her neck. She said she went downstairs and placed her dad's hand on the knot, and he was concerned.
"It just snowballed from there," she said.
Despite the radiation, the hospital stays, and the chance she would not recover, Moreno said the hardest part was watching her family struggle to deal with the situation.
"My parents are two of the strongest people I've ever known, and they were literally holding each other trying to keep each other up physically and emotionally," she said. "I realized very quickly, 'OK, the only one who has a cool head is me. I have to take everybody through this.'"
Moreno said the feeling of isolation is one of the hardest. She said she felt like she was the only one losing hair and going through treatment.
Relay for Life is a way cancer survivors and family members can come together to combat the disease and celebrate life.
"Relay is like a big party on how and why we should get rid of cancer," she said. "It's shining the light on cancer awareness."
Volunteers posted fliers welcoming anybody interested in participating in the event to come to the kickoff. In addition to information about cancer and treatment, the kickoff will feature refreshments and prizes.
This is the 25th year for Relay for Life.
Amanda Buswell, the chairwoman of Jackson County Carbondale Relay for Life planning committee, said the 2009 Carbondale Relay group hopes to raise more than $92,000 from the event.
If they do, Carbondale's Relay for Life will have raised more than $1 million since it began a little more than a decade ago, she said.
Emily Popejoy, a senior from Manlius studying marketing, said she thinks the target is attainable.
"We can reach that goal and surpass it," she said.
Popejoy said raising $1 million would show Carbondale's position as one of the state's most active areas in the fight against cancer.
The funds raised at Relay for Life save lives by funding cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts and patient services, Buswell said.
Buswell, a senior from Sheldon studying marketing, encouraged students to come to the event.
"People should come to see the difference they can make in the fight against cancer," she said.
Moreno said she is grateful for the lessons she learned from having cancer. She said she discovered a hidden reservoir of strength and has learned not to waste her life.
"It's too bad that I had to have death breathe down my neck to realize that," she said. "You have to go out there and get life. It will not come to you."
Genna Ord can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 273 or gord@siu.edu.
