Hello, my name is Mahli Lowder.  I live in McDonough, GA with my husband of 26 years, Sam and our dog, Yuki.  I work for The Southern Credit Union as a bookkeeper, am a Rotarian, play the flute in our church orchestra and the Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra along with my husband who plays cello.

In the early 1990s, I participated in my first Relay For Life event at North Dakota State University in honor of my grandmother who was fighting ovarian cancer.  I became a volunteer for the American Cancer Society in 2001.  My husband and I were learning how to be caregivers to his mother, Jackie, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Even though Jackie passed away in 2004, we continue to walk the caregiver lap with my sister-in-law, Lori, in memory of Jackie; my grandmother, Agnes; other family and friends; and in honor of all the courageous survivors we have met through the years.

My favorite part of Relay is walking around the track during the silent lap remembering all the wonderful people that I have met during their cancer journeys.  Seeing all of the luminaria being lit along the way, knowing that each represent a life of someone touched by cancer, is so meaningful.  There are so many people being remembered and celebrated, so much laughter and tears, a sense of community, of love, of hope, of purpose; it reinforces my commitment to continue to volunteer with American Cancer Society.

I have been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society since 2001, serving in various positions with the Relay For Life, Bark For Life, Volunteer Product Council and the Southeast Community Fundraising Leadership Team.

Because I can see that the American Cancer Society is making a difference in the lives of so many, I will continue to be a proud volunteer for many years to come.