My name is Saralyn Lash and I am a 30+ year survivor of endometrial cancer.  Yep, 3-0!  That’s a lot of years—and I love to talk about what long-term survivorship looks like as well as how Relay For Life changed my life!

Diagnosed in 1994, fast forward to 1998 when a co-worker invited me to Relay For Life in Wooster, Ohio.  When I went to my first Relay event, the feelings of isolation melted away.  It was the first time since my diagnosis that I felt like I belonged—I was now part of a community of cancer-fighters.

As I’ve become more involved in the fight against cancer, I also have become a caregiver for friends.  It is been my privilege to support two specific friends through their terminal diagnosis, life-prolonging treatments and, eventually, end of life.

When I talk about my own recovery from cancer, I talk about peace, love and purple.  I was loved by my family—especially by my mom, who was my caregiver.  The purple is the healing from Relay For Life.  And, the peace?  The peace comes from continuing to fight cancer.  I am a Relayer.  We may only be on the track a few hours a year, but I am a Relayer all year long—and I fight back every day of the year!

Relay For Life has really becoming part of my identity.  I have worked in Survivor and Caregiver strategy at the national level, eventually becoming the National Relay For Life Volunteer Lead (2021-2022).  I am also a member of the Cancer Action Network.  I currently work with the Global Relay For Life team and we are truly are #OneWorldOneHope!  And all this started by becoming a Voice of Hope!