I am Val Reeves from Katy, Texas. I am a wife, a mom, a VeeVee, a
retired teacher, and a passionate RFL volunteer in my community. I
became involved in Relay in 2000 after a friend of mine invited me to our
local event. It was an emotional, yet inspiring event for me. I walked
first as a Survivor and then as a Caregiver.
My experience on Katy’s ELT has been in the areas of team
development, Survivor/Caregiver, Entertainment, and Event Lead. All
challenging and rewarding ways to volunteer.
My caregiving has been related to my husband’s complicated cancer
journey. Since his first diagnosis in 1999, he has become a survivor of
testicular, colon, renal cell carcinoma, and skin cancers. In 2019, he
received a kidney transplant and is doing well. My role as his Caregiver
is one that I am passionate about and feel blessed to be by his side.
My own cancer started in 1999 when I was diagnosed with breast
cancer during a routine annual exam. After a mastectomy, I delayed
reconstruction until 2003 so that I could provide our family with a
“healthy” parent while my husband was in treatment. I am proud to be
a longtime Survivor.
When I think about why I Relay, I think of women who need to be
reminded to take care of themselves. I Relay for others who continue to
live their lives in the midst of cancer diagnoses. I Relay for children
whose parents are diagnosed and who feel threatened by the impact
that this has on their family structure. I guess that you can say that I
have been on both sides of the cancer coin and will continue to rally for
a cure.
Do you believe that there is HOPE for a cure? I do