Hi! I’m Linda Herman, and I live in Land O’ Lakes, Florida. I grew up in New Jersey, moved to Pensacola, and graduated from the University of South Florida. I’ve been a teacher for 37 years and I still love working with little learners. I’m a proud mom of two sons and “Honey” to three amazing grandchildren. Life has truly blessed me.
In 1998, I joined a Relay For Life team just to earn comp time at work. I had no idea that decision would change my life. I walked into my first event with no clue what to expect. But the moment I saw the survivors take their first lap, I thought, “Wow… someone is helping keep these people alive.” That someone was the American Cancer Society. The next year, I became a team captain.
Then things got personal. My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. I’ll never forget calling the ACS hotline at 2 a.m., full of fear and questions. A kind voice answered, listened, guided me, and gave me something I desperately needed: HOPE. My mom fought bravely for 18 months. Our final words to each other were a promise: I would keep fighting. And she knew I would.
Since then, I’ve gotten deeply involved, from local Relay events to regional leadership teams. On my 50th birthday, I got a HOPE tattoo to honor my mom and the mission I carry forward.
Last year, when doctors found a thyroid nodule, I wasn’t scared. I had HOPE, and thankfully, it wasn’t cancer. The American Cancer Society has been there for me and millions of others. They’re creating more birthdays, more memories, and more survivors. I’ll never stop fighting—for my mom, for myself, and for everyone touched by cancer.