MAKING A DIFFERENCE – Dawn Treylinek
A Survivor’s Story
Survivor’s Story – Hello, my name is Dawn. I am a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and a four-time cancer survivor. I was initially diagnosed at the age of 26 with cervical cancer in 1990. Then, in 2012 aged 48, I was diagnosed with Stage 3A breast cancer and BRACA positive. I had 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 33 rounds of radiation therapy, and eight surgeries for a double mastectomy with reconstruction. In 2013, I was declared cancer-free!
Unfortunately, 11 months later, my cancer returned. This time it was Stage 4 with metastases to my liver and lymph nodes. I had six rounds of aggressive chemotherapy this time and again I was declared cancer-free on 12/24/14. My Christmas miracle! Sadly, 3 months later the monster returned. I am now on oral chemotherapy pills and probably will be for the rest of my life.
Yes, I am Stage 4 and I will always have the fear in the back of my head that this monster can return with a vengeance but I will not give up fighting! This is why I volunteer with the American Cancer Society. I focus my volunteer hours on their number one fundraising event Relay for Life. Do you Relay for Life? I do! And no, I am not a runner! Relay for Life is a 12-hour event where the community fights back against cancer by having teams walk around the high school track for 12 hours.
The “Opening Ceremony” welcomes the community to the fight and invites ALL the cancer survivors in their purple survivor shirts to walk the first lap while cheered on by all those in attendance. The sea of purple shirts walking the track is amazing and inspiring. The caregivers join in on the second lap then the communities of teams join in the third lap. I have been Relaying in this community since 2008 and it never fails to amaze me of the support that is in our small little town. For the next couple of hours you can walk the track and check out what all the teams have to offer-games of chance, various foods, and comradery.
At 9 PM on the night of the Relay, the lights will dim and quiet ensues as the luminaria ceremony takes place. This is the time for us to honor and remember all those that cancer has touched. Luminaria bags are lit around the track and the field glows with their light and all our love. This is my favorite part of the event as it gives me an opportunity to remember all my family members and friends that I’ve lost to this monster called cancer. Once the ceremony ends, the music, games, and fun commence until the wee hours of the morning. During the closing ceremony, we dedicate ourselves to fighting back and finishing the fight to find a cure so our future generations will not hear those words “you have cancer”.
God willing, I will be at Relay this year. Will you? It will be on April 29 & 30, 2016 from 6 pm to 6 am at Chocktaw High School stadium in Fort Walton Beach. If you don’t have a friend or a team there that you know, I invite you to come to join me! Stop at the luminaria tent and ask for me. My team is “Stargazers” and my tent will be near theirs. I look forward to seeing you. And, if you are a cancer survivor walking that first lap; I’ll be with you! Help me finish the fight!
For more information: www.cancer.org
