I’m Steve Clay and I live in Spooner, Wisconsin with my wife. We have one son and three grandchildren. I taught 7th graders for 35 years. I like to think of myself as a Master of Puns. I’m a drummer as the Voices of Hope beat goes on “snaring” the people’s attention.
During the time I taught I was asked to volunteer to help raise money for an organization that I knew little about…that organization was the American Cancer Society…the year was 1990. Since then, I have volunteered for ACS chairing/co-chairing 26 Relay’s For Life…raising over $1 million dollars for cancer research. I attended, as part of the Wisconsin delegation, the 2011 Leadership Summit and Lobby Day in D.C. I was part of the organization team for the 2012 National Relay For Life in Nashville.
My passion for volunteering for ACS and finding a cure comes from my high school days. I lost my 18-year-old best friend to cancer. It was very hard to see him suffer at a young age. I was frustrated and angry. I wanted to kick cancer’s butt.
Volunteering has made me realize how important awareness and research is in finding a cure. To a certain degree, we are all Voices of Hope, informing people and being pillars of strength in our communities…thus helping to create hope. We can all make a difference in kicking cancer’s butt. No ifs, ands, or buts (butts) about it. What will YOU do?
I’m extremely honored and thankful to be one of the ACS Voices of Hope…representing Wisconsin and the North Region. Let’s continue to paint a purple masterpiece of HOPE one brushstroke at a time. Let’s be the spark that helps ignite the fire and passion of many voices as ONE as we work to improve our daily lives.