Relay For Life Detroit

Photo Credit: Relay For Life-Courtney(right) and Darlene Conyer(center)

Join the many participants  that will gather together on June 14-15 at Marygrove College from 10 a.m. to 10 a.m.  the next day for Relay For Detroit. The event will honor cancer survivors, their caregivers, and pay tribute to those that have passed away before a cure could be found.

Courtney Conyer, a Relay For Life participant knows how it feels to be affected by cancer. Her mother, Darlene Conyer, was diagnosed with breast cancer June 2004 in that Courtney became a caregiver.

“As a thirteen year old my immediate thought was that she was going to die,” said Conyer.

Courtney recalls feeling helpless as a middle school student transitioning to high school.

“In the midst of great illness, watching her fall physically weak sometimes, having to go to numerous doctors appointments, my mom still worked her magic that summer and helped me appeal to get into Renaissance. There’s something special about mommy-magic,” said Conyer.

After battling cancer for a year and a half, in 2006  Darlene entered remission. She continued to work and do the things that she loved; spending time with her husband and children, watching them accomplish their goals, traveling, and served as a Girl Scout leader until she passed on March 11, 2013.

Although her fight with cancer ended before she passed, she never stopped fighting to be a better wife, mother, friend, leader, and woman.

“My mom is a survivor even though she is no longer here. She was very strong in her fight. She was a strong believer who prayed on a daily basis, but also worked at being positive and healing. Her fight with cancer made her a more spiritual person. [This] is the good I take from this. Having somebody so close to me battle cancer makes me want contribute to [finding] a cure in any way I can. That’s why I Relay,” says Courtney.

Gather with Courtney and hundreds of supporters, volunteers, and survivors of the Detroit community to help raise a fundraising goal of 120,000 dollars. Funds will be used to save lives, create more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back.

To start a team, donate, or volunteer visit www.relayforlife.org/detroitmi.