In May 2014 my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer and passed away in June 2014. Nine months later I met my husband, a widower who lost his wife to melanoma in 2010. He is one of the lucky ones, he’s a cancer survivor.
Years before, when Amy (Lesakowski, 11 Day Power Play executive director and co-founder) was diagnosed with breast cancer, our kids were very young. We had so many conversations about life and health as her “story” was just starting. Those conversations stayed with me for all these years and helped me when my mother was diagnosed. Her strength is indisputable, and when the 11 Day Power Play was evolving I knew I had to be a part.
With so many non-profits supporting individual causes, 11DPP focusing on all cancers really resonated with me. I have been directly affected by too many cancers to pick which ones to support so in 2017, the first year of 11DPP, my husband and I signed up to volunteer and have been giving our time ever since. Knowing that most of the players and volunteers involved have been affected by cancer reinforces the need for research and trials to combat these awful diseases. As we approach 11DPP 2025 I look forward to spending all 11 days at the event, volunteering my time. I have met so many amazing people and I look forward to cheering on the players and reconnecting with the volunteers I’ve come to know.