Cancer Unites Three Generations of One Salem Family

The Ratzlaffs have one common goal – to survive cancer.

Image Courtesy: zsiage.com

(SALEM) - The Ratzlaff family plans to do everything a loving family would normally do during the summertime, but an underlying theme this year will be the family`s struggle to fight and survive cancer.

Three different generations of the Ratzlaff family have been diagnosed with cancer.

`I consider myself very lucky," said John Ratzlaff, `however the next few months are going to be tough on my grandson."

John is currently fighting Hodgkin lymphoma which is now in remission.

John`s four-year-old grandson, Conner, will soon be undergoing delayed intensification treatment at OHSU for leukemia.

John said Conner was diagnosed with the disease in February, and he does everything a normal four year old would do.

`He rides his bike all the time, and just enjoys life" his proud grandfather John said.

John`s 83-year-old mother is battling breast cancer, which is now in remission.

John said the silver lining in all of this � all of them have an excellent chance of surviving the disease.

The Ratzlaff family is very active in American Cancer Society`s Relay For Life of Salem.

`John was our Grand Marshall in 2004," said Kathy Otelle, Relay Team Development Chair.

The American Cancer Society`s Relay For Life of Salem wanted Connor, to be the Grand Marshall for this year`s Salem Relay For Life event.

However because of Conner`s upcoming treatment, he will likely be too weak to participate.

But John said that Conner is a fighter, and will make every effort to attend the event.

Relay For Life of Salem is an overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back against the disease.

Relay For Life of Salem will be held from noon to noon on Friday, June 16th to Saturday, June 17th at Chemeketa Community College.

During the event, a luminaria will take place, where those attending will place bags of candles around the track to honor those how have lost their battle with cancer, and to honor those currently battling the disease.

Also, Salem-area residents are encouraged to attend a Survivor Celebration event to be held at 6:00 PM on Friday, June 16th.

There is still time to sign-up for this years event.

To participate call Kathy Otelle, Relay For Life Team Development Chair at (503) 584-2148.

For more information on Relay For Life of Salem visit www.salemrelay.org.

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