Relay for Life - Fort Worth, TX

My oldest sister Joy is going through chemotherapy until April, having been diagnosed with breast cancer last March.

She has undergone two surgeries this past year and yesterday had to put one of her dogs who she has had for several years to sleep. When she started chemo the doctor told her that most people don't work full-time while going through the treatment and that she wouldn't be able to make a meal for herself while dealing with the side effects. Before she started chemotherapy, Joy thought she'd still be able to cook but her friend had to bring her dinner instead.

There are nearly 11 million cancer survivors in the U.S. today.

The annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life® will take place in Fort Worth, Texas at Farrington Field April 3-4 marking the organization's 25th anniversary. (Source: Sheila Harris).

To form a team and join the fight against cancer, go to www.relayforlife.org/fortworthtx and for more information on what the agency does, go to www.cancer.org online. One of the services funded by the relay is the 24/7 help line 800-ACS-2345.

The venue is at 1501 University Drive and hours are 6 p.m. April 3 to 6 a.m. April 4.

CPS-3 is a Cancer Prevention Study that is coming to the event this year.

"Cancer is a really cruel disease," says one mother who has colon cancer. "I have gotten a lot of blessings since I was diagnosed but I wish I didn't have to go through this to get them."

In unrelated event news, raise a sail and save a life by participating in the North Texas Leukemia Cup Regatta April 24-26 at the Corinthinian Sailing Club at White Rock Lake. The 2008 Leukemia Cup Regatta was a huge success, raising over $155,000, making it the best year ever for the event in North Texas when sailors hit the bay for charity, according to research.

For details on this year's race, see cscsailing.org on the Net.

PurpleStride Austin is being held April 26 at 8 a.m. at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park to benefit the Austin, TX Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The event includes a 5K timed run/walk for adults and 1K walk/run for kids. Particpants who register by April 10 are guaranteed a t-shirt in their preferred size. (Source: pancan.org).

The location is 3005 County Road 175 in Leander.

For information and to register, access http://www.pancan.org/Volunteer/tx/austin/index.html or contact Event Coordinator Mandy West at awest@pancanvolunteer.org (512-422-5695).