I Relay for my sister, Bess. She is 25-years-old and was diagnosed with a rare type of cervical cancer. Everyone was astonished by this news because of her age. We thought it might be towards her benefit, but that quickly didn’t matter much because doctors didn’t quite know how to help her.

The type of cancer she was diagnosed with is so rare that there is no research on it and almost undetectable if it isn’t looked for specifically. My family was ever so grateful that one doctor on the Iowa Cancer Board recognized those cells. If her charts had never been reviewed at Iowa, my sister would probably never be able able to have children and she’d be losing her battle to cancer and my family would be losing a key to our existence.

Thankfully, my sister fought through procedures, tests and medications and has been cancer free for more than six months. My sister is a big supporter of any cause that comes her way. If she is asked to participate, she gives it her all with fundraising, spreading awareness and much more.

I knew I had to give her as much support through those trying times as she gave to all the causes in the past. She is the reason I joined CAC, the reason I wanted to be an executive and the reason I want to research cancer.

-Emily Lippman