Cancer survivors serve as ambassadors
The role of an ambassador is given to someone who has passion for an organization, gives time selflessly and serves as a beacon of hope. Because they exemplify these qualities, Lisa Rose of Uniontown and Jonna Hall of Connellsville have been selected to serve as ambassadors for the 2010 Laurel Highlands Relay for Life, which will be held from noon, Saturday, Aug. 14 to noon on Sunday, Aug. 15 at Penn State Fayette The Eberly Campus.
“(I want) to reach out to the community to let them know the different services that are offered,” said Rose, about her duties as an ambassador. She is a five-year breast cancer survivor.
Not only does Rose want to reach out to those who are currently battling cancer, but she also understands why the relay is so important.
“(The relay is important) because all of the different cancer survivors can get together. They don’t need to think they are alone,” she said.
“The money raised can go to so many different programs like Road to Recovery and Man to Man.”
Road to Recovery is a program that matches volunteers with cancer patients who need transportation to treatments. Man to Man is a support group for men battling prostate cancer.
“It (the relay) gives you the chance to help those who don’t know what they are up against,” said Hall, a three-year breast cancer survivor.
Both Rose and Hall will be participating in the Shining Stars relay team this year. To date, the team has raised close to $1,500 for the 2010 relay.
Hall will also be a part of the SCI (State Correctional Institution) Fayette team.
Through their experiences of battling cancer, both Rose and Hall have some words of advice and encouragement they would like to share with those currently fighting the disease.
“At 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month in the Thelma Sandy conference room at the Uniontown Hospital, there is a cancer support group,” said Rose.
“I’m always here. I will walk them through it. I will call them at their lowest point.”
“Prayer is huge,” said Hall. “To me, that is the best medicine.”