Relay For Life is an opportunity to celebrate those who have won their fight against cancer, remember those who are no longer with us, and fight back against this horrible disease that robs so much from so many people.

"You have cancer" are the three most life altering words for family, friends, and the patient themselves. Just like everyone else, I know too many people whose lives have been affected by this terrible disease. Each year, 12.7 million people get diagnosed with cancer, and 7.6 million people die from the disease. For females, the most common form of cancer is breast cancer, and for men it is prostate cancer.

For the last four years, I have participated in my hometown's Relay for Life, and this year I participated in my first Relay for Life at my university. Relay for Life has become a very important part of my life and I look forward to it every year. Each year, people from all around the world come together to spend one night as a unified front against cancer. Each year, people share their survivor stores, their caregiver stories, and stories about how their lives have been touched by cancer.

I relay to see a world with more birthdays. With every dollar fundraised for American Cancer Society, we are taking a step in the right direction to creating a world where cancer is not as prevalent. In a world with less cancer, there would be more people celebrating more birthdays. Those 7.6 million people who die from this disease will never live to see another birthday. The 12.7 million people who get diagnosed with cancer live in fear that they will not see another birthday, or another year in their lives.

I relay for the friends and family that I have lost to cancer, or who are currently battling it. One of the most influential people in my life is currently battling cancer, and I relay for her. I relay for my grandfather who lost his battle to melanoma eight years ago. I relay for the student in my hometown who lost his battle last year. I relay for my friend's families who have been impacted by the loss of their parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters. I relay for the people all over the who are fighting their own battles against cancer.

I relay for hope. Hope that one day the phrase "you have cancer" will be one that no one hears. Hope that one day cancer is something we can prevent before it turns into a problem. Hope for the people who have cancer. Hope for the families that their loved ones will make a complete recovery.

Most importantly, I relay for a cure.