WHY WE RELAY
Please read on to find out why we at DCES participate in Relay for Life and who walk for.
The underlined names are linked to that person’s fundraising site.
Matt Ostrowsky
We’ve all got our reasons to Relay. In the past, I’ve always walked (and still do walk) in honor of my grandmother, who is a cancer survivor and one of the most amazing people I’ll ever know. I have also walked in honor of friends, co-workers, and parents of students who have battled cancer.
This year, I’ll be walking in their honor again.
But this year’s Relay event hits home a bit harder, as I’ll also be walking in memory of Allan Ortagus. Allan was the maintenance coordinator at Durbin Creek Elementary School since the school opened 5 years ago. He was a great person to work with, a dedicated husband to his wife, Madeline, and a strong role model not only to his own two children, but to all of the children at DCES.
He will always be missed, but I’ll definitely be thinking of him at this year’s Relay for Life event.
Chris Dewees
I walk in honor of my grandfather, Francis Daly, who passed away in January, 2006, after battling cancer for over 5 years. An Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient, he was one of the bravest and most giving people I’ve ever known. He was the strong-but-silent type of person who worried more about everyone else’s problems than he did his own illness. I walk in the hope that we will find the cure for cancer so that no one else will have to go through what my grandfather did. I also walk as a reminder to myself that the gift of life is precious and that time with our loved ones should be cherished and not wasted.
Jennifer Draper
The reason I participate in the Relay for Life is for all my family and friends that have fought cancer. Some have become survivors, while others we remember for their courageous fight. By participating in this walk I am hoping to raise funds for reasearch and cures, which can help all our loved ones now and in the future. My walk is donated to the loving memory of Linda Brand. We all will miss her but look forward to a glorious reunion in Heaven. Thank you Linda, for the memories.
Andrea Larese
My Reason to Relay is to join people around the world in celebrating those who have survived cancer, remembering the people we’ve lost, and supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society.
More specifically, my life has been personally touched by cancer. My paternal grandmother died of brain cancer. My paternal grandfater also died of cancer. My maternal grandfather died of lung cancer, which is just one reason why I will never touch a cigarette. My stepfather’s brother in law lost the battle to esophageal cancer just two years ago. This past September, the school I teach at lost a valuable member, the father of our school, our wonderful maitenance coordinator, Allan Ortagus.
I also walk for those friends of mine who are survivors. Mary Ford, Sue Scovill, and Rhonda Gauger are an inspiration to me.
Please make a donation to me or join my team. You are helping deliver the hope that future generations will not have to endure cancer threatening the lives of their friends and family. You have the power to fight back against a disease that affects millions.
Katrina Stanton
Why I Relay…I’ve been very fortunate in my life in that I have not lost someone in my family to cancer. However, I have friends who have battled cancer or had to watch someone they love suffer. It is heartwrenching as well as inspiring to see how these brave souls fight literally for their lives. It is for them that I Relay. With every lap, I feel grateful for all the Blessings I have been given and for all the insipirational people put in my life who show me how Blessed I am.
Brooke Reynolds
This year I will be walking in memory of friends and family. All of these people have touched my life in some way. I am walking for my grandmother, my uncle, and our family friend Jerry. Each one of these people have a special place in my heart and always will be remembered and missed.
Kortnee Atkins
I am so excited to be a part of Relay for Life this year. I’m walking in honor of my grandmother, June Davis, who lost her battle to cancer when I was very young. I am also walking in honor of Wanda Bricker and Waneta Hyman, my grandma and great aunt who, as twins, have both battled and survived breast cancer. Through the process, they set an example of what it looks like to be faithful in times of struggle. Lastly, I walk in honor of my husband’s mother, Resa Atkins, who I never had the chance to know. She lost her battle with cancer two years before I met him, but her example and positive influence on my husband is echoed in our daily lives.