My name is Nancy Neel from Silsbee, Texas.  I have been involved with Relay for over 25 years.  I’m the State Lead Ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

After joining a Relay For Life team in 1996, I was immediately hooked.  The following year, I became the caregiver for my Dad  who was diagnosed with colon cancer.  In April 1998, my Dad walked his first survivor lap.  That night, I realized Relay symbolized HOPE to me.  The American Cancer Society and Relay For Life give me HOPE that a cure can and will be found.  I can say Relay has become my passion and I DO BLEED PURPLE!  In 2015, I was honored with being selected as a Hero of Hope for the High Plains Division.  It was year I will always remember.  Over the past years, I’ve had the opportunity to share my story at many Relays, survivor dinners, Making Strides against Breast Cancer, and Bark For Life events.  I not only share my story of HOPE, but the importance of advocacy and cancer education.  I will continue this undertaking in honor of a promise I made to my sweet Aunt, that I would not stop being the voice for those that no longer had a voice and the voice of those on their cancer journey.

Too many of us have been touched by cancer.  In 2020, my dad gained his wings and is now forever cancer free.   Since 1977, cancer has taken my daddy, my grandfather, 2 uncles, 5 aunts, my father-in-law, and way too many friends.  Join me in the fight to end cancer.