I have been impacted by cancer since starting at the age of 12, when my grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer. From then on I have had a few family members diagnosed with cancer. They all have fought hard but lost their battles.

As an adult I have have know many community members that have faced cancer. On December 1, 2014 my very dear friend, Abby was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. She was 37 years old when we got the news.

Abby and I were sitting at Cancer Care while she was getting her treatment. We saw a flyer in the infusion room that said Champion The Cure. We asked the nurse what it was all about. We learned that the money remains in Brewer and it happens right at Cancer Care. Abby turned to me and said "I want a team". So I pulled out my laptop and the Abby Strong Team was created. The first year we only had 5 participants. We thought the event was amazing and such a great time. Abby walked the WHOLE 3 MILES with her chomo-ball in hand!! We noticed these white tents and we asked how you get a tent. That is when we learned it was Champion Village and you had to raise $5000 and have 20 members. Abby told me she wanted a tent, so that was my mission.

Our second year as a team was spent fundraising like crazy. We got Abby her tent in Champion Village. She wasn't able to walk that year because she had just had surgery. However she was at the event and enjoyed sitting her her tent at Champion Village.

Sadly on January 24th of this year, Abby was told nothing more can be done. They have exhausted all treatment options and has been placed on Hospice. She remains determined and is showing such strength. The team is going to get Abby the tent one last time. She may not be here to experience it, however I know she will be watching. Abby knows we are fundraising like crazy and is happy to know Abby Strong Team will be in Champion Village again.

"Don't stop believing"