Hopeful Fifteen-year-old Paige Secora (right) participated in her first Relay for Life June 5, in Staples. Paige (pictured with her mom, Kathy) was diagnosed with leukemia in August, 2007; and will receive her final chemotherapy treatment Dec. 28. (Staples World photo by Dawn Schimpp Timbs) When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I didn't know much about it and I had only heard about it a couple of times. I didn't think very many people got cancer. So when they told me I had it, I felt scared and alone.

Being at the Relay for Life on Friday night was very, very overwhelming for me. Seeing all of the people who have had cancer and all of the families who have been affected by cancer just breaks my heart.

Seeing all of the white bags with peoples names on them who have passed away and who are still surviving cancer gives me hope and faith. But also, makes me very sorrowful to see how many lives cancer has taken.

Relay for Life brings hope to all cancer survivors that one day we will have a cure.