Reasons to Relay

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Published on Tuesday, 31 July 2012 10:39

KAREN SNYDER'S COMMITMENT TO RELAY BEGAN LONG BEFORE HER CANCER DIAGNOSIS

Mary Loveland
Daily Elk Citian 

EDITOR'S NOTE
As Relay for Life approaches, the Daily Elk Citian will feature stories about cancer survivors, caregivers, and individuals that have a part in this annual event to fight cancer. They shared with us their Reasons to Relay, and we will tell their story.

When Karen Snyder, Relay for Life team captain for the Purple Power Passionistas, first received a call in the early 1980s about helping out with the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life wasn't even an event yet. Instead, Snyder remembers participating in the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days – of which she sold thousands of yellow daffodils to help raise money for cancer research. Then, in 1993, Snyder walked in her first Relay for Life in Weatherford, and she still walks in them today.

In 2008, Relay for Life took on a completely different meaning for her. Snyder was diagnosed with ovarian cancer – the fifth most common cancer among women. 

Snyder went through six cycles of chemotherapy, and is now four years cancer free.

"I was very fortunate," Snyder said. "Everywhere I went people said, 'Do you know how lucky you are? People don't survive ovarian cancer.' Usually it's too far gone before they find it. I don't think I'm lucky. I think I've been blessed. Obviously God has a plan for me."

For the full story, pick up the Tuesday, July 31, edition of the Daily Elk Citian.