When breast cancer attempted to silence my voice in 2009, I decided to quit waiting for “someday” and to pursue my dream of becoming a writer.  Surrounded by students who were younger than my own grown children, I signed up for a college writing classes in the same year I completed treatment. Under a Desert Sky—a memoir of my cancer journey and the subsequent diagnoses of both parents—was traditionally published in 2017.  I now teach writing workshops to other survivors, introducing them to the healing process of capturing their story and reclaiming their voice.  Cancer steals many things, but it doesn’t get to keep our words!

I have been involved in Chandler Relay For Life and East Valley AZ Relay For Life since 2009 as a Team Captain, Entertainment Lead, Community Champion, Luminaria Lead, and Event Chair.  I am encouraged by the courageous and optimistic people I meet at Relay.  I love speaking about Relay, especially on what people can do when someone they love has been diagnosed with cancer.  Kindness is our credential!  The American Cancer Society also has many tools to help family and friends navigate the changing reality of cancer.

I participate in Relay For Life in memory of my parents, Stan and Lois Hankins and my in-laws, Erv and Lil Hartke. (Yes, our children lost all four grandparents to cancer.)  I don’t want the past to be part of my children and grandchildren’s futures.  My name is Lynne Hartke.  I am married to Kevin, a pastor and the mayor of Chandler, Arizona.  We have four children and four grandchildren.  When not involved in our community, we can be found on desert trails with our rust-colored mutt, Mollie, or at our 100-year-old cabin in northern Arizona.  Cancer has taught us to grab onto LIFE with both hands