Today, you read about Viola Dudley, who has been leading the Relay for Life team, Walking in Harmony, for the past 11 years.

She has spent the last 18 years as a breast cancer survivor.

Dudley, along with many other survivors, shows the importance of being there for others who are also experiencing the same hardships they have. In this situation, breast cancer is the common factor with all of the survivors we celebrate this month.

“It helps me relate because I’ve been where they are,” she said. “I’ll meet someone and they are going through it and I just let them know that they can get through this. Anytime I can talk to someone about it or answer questions, I try and be there for them.”

We commend Dudley for her work she continues to do in Relay for Life, and we encourage others to do the same. Cancer touches the lives of many people in our community, and it is important for all of us to remain supportive as we celebrate those who have beaten cancer and those who are still fighting it.