I am Ann Archer from Lubbock, Texas   I am a long-time educator having spent most of my years of service in the elementary world as a teacher and administrator.  Currently, l serve as the principal of a Career and Technical Education campus in Lubbock ISD.  I have two daughters, Katie Jo (23) and Addi (21).  We became involved with the American Cancer Society (ACS) following my husband’s death from leukemia (AML).  Jo Paul fought hard for 2.5 years, but eventually developed Graft vs. Host disease following a stem cell transplant.  On the morning of his passing, our daughters and I made a promise to do whatever we could to fight back against the disease that took their daddy.

During Jo Paul’s battle, I received a flyer inviting me to purchase a luminaria in his honor.  I did just that. We attended our local Relay that next weekend.  Katie Jo, Addi, and I just happened to arrive right as the luminaria/remember ceremony was beginning.  Wow!  What a moving and beautiful moment!  That experience stuck with me and as we were grieving that horrible morning of his passing, the ACS’s Relay For Life came back to my mind. That is when our investment and commitment began.

That next spring, over 100 family and friends joined together to form Team Archer.  We raised over $15,000.  That was 16 years ago and the ACS continues to be a very important part of our lives.  The friendships we have made over the years have been a huge source of healing for us.  We often say we have two families – our family by blood and our family by Relay.

I thoroughly enjoy speaking to anyone or groups about the wonderful services offered by the American Cancer Society!  Through my work in education, in addition to my work with ACS, I have enjoyed seeing students give back to their community, as well as take an active role in the fight against cancer.