Why I Volunteer
I am a freshman at Monroe Area High School. I am also Miss MAHS Freshman 2009 and I am Teen Miss Georgia USA National Queen 2009. I will be competing for the National Title this summer in Atlanta, GA. I have four sisters and one nephew. I am from Winder, Georgia but I now live in Good Hope.
I volunteer because cancer has struck my family 4 times. Two times the results were death and my sister and aunt are in remission. The ones who have fought and the ones who are fighting are my heroes.
My sister:
My sister Magan was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer when she was 19. This took our family by surprise. The cancer was spreading faster and faster every week. Magan was close to needing chemotherapy. She finally had her surgery and the doctors said that she may not be able to have children. Today she has a beautiful little boy.
My Aunt Lisa:
Aunt This is my AuntLisa. She was diagnsed with cervical cancer at 42 years old. Between my sister Magan and my Aunt Lisa cancer shows that it can strike at any age. My aunt is now a survivor.
My Great-Grandmother, Mary Ellen Cook
This is my great-grandmother, Mary Ellen Cook. She was originally diagnosed with esophogeal cancer, which spread to her liver and then bones. She died in 1986. She was a wonderful woman. She loved her church, her family and her community. She was blessed with many talents. She is my mentor.
About Cancer:
As of 2007 The American Cancer Society shows that cancer has the 2nd highest death rate at 23.1%. That's second to heart disease. In 2007 Georgia had 35,440 new cases of cancer diagnosed. In the United States there were 1,440,000 new cases diagnosed in 2007. That's enough people to fill the Georgia Dome 20 times!!