Kelly Dobroski ‘16
Relay Survivorship Committee Co-Head
Relay for Life has been a way of expressing what I want in the world – more birthdays. Cancer touches everyone at some point in their life, and for me it happened at 15. On April 9, 2010, I received a letter that created a paradigm shift. I was diagnosed with cancer – a synovial sarcoma. I spent the next week faking laughter and smiles at school, and spending my nights tucked away crying in my room. At first I pitied myself – how terrible it was to be diagnosed, to be frightened. How can people so young experience this? Cancer doesn’t discriminate – it affects men and women, young and old, rich and poor. So why pity myself? With beginning radiation treatments, I began to see cancer through a different light. Even with how terrible it was to be diagnosed, I learned to appreciate life so much more. I take more time to show the people I love, that I love them. I am more patient with things than before this experience, and I truly enjoy simple things in life. I Relay for myself – and for the millions of others touched by this disease. For those fighting, don’t ever forget to keep calm, and Relay on.