My journey with the American Cancer Society Relay For Life started in 1998. I had lost my grandfather to prostate cancer and I was very, very angry at cancer. My anger turned to hope and purpose after being introduced to Relay For Life at a Coral Springs Jaycees meeting in Florida. I joined that Relay as a mighty team of one. That first night at Relay, I was given the opportunity to be emcee for part of the event. I looked out at the audience and remarked that we have a purple army of hope. I have held many positions on the planning committee for my local Relay For Life.
In July of 2012, I held my mom’s hand for the last time as god called her home after battling non-operable metastatic lung cancer. She had been experiencing complications of her cancer. I was shivering as I sat with her, so I ran out to my car to get a jacket, and it was a Relay For Life hoodie. It was at that moment that I knew I had to continue my efforts to positively impact the lives of those touched by cancer.
My name is Jonathan Lederman and I live in Sunrise, Florida. And why do people call me JDOGG? It is a nickname given to me when I served as a U.S. Peace Corp volunteer in the Philippines, and it has stuck all these years. I work as a PA Announcer, Emcee and Voice over talent and do Marketing and Business consulting. I am also a digital creator and host my own blog. I am a very positive individual and I want to keep sharing that positivity to all that I can. I am your “Stay Positive Guy”!