Relay For Life aka MY DAD IS SOOO INCREDIBLY AWESOME!!!!!!

My father speaking to a crowd of 4th graders about not smoking

Big Daddy & Mags

Rebecca & Sarah Beth Dickerson

Sarah Beth's big sister Amy & Mags

the mini relay around the school

Our elementary school held its own mini Realy for Life. For those of you unaware...this is a program to raise money for cancer research. ALL of the money our school raised will stay in this area...and we raised almost $8000! The honorary chair this year is the precious little girl of a Clubview family...SarahBeth Dickerson. Her mama, Rebecca, arranged the festivities for our school this year and she asked my dad to come and speak to the 4th grade as a cancer survivor. We are extremely close to this family and were amazed to watch them during the days of SarahBeth's diagnosis and treatment. They are one faithful family and I wish I had half the guts Rebecca & Philip had when they were walking that path. Such a testament to God's grace and sovereignty!

So, anyway- my dad had cancer the first time 19 years ago. It was throat cancer and even though he had stopped smoking (2-3 packs of marlboros a day) 10 YEARS before...his cancer was still directly linked to his smoking activity. Now that he is officially cured and has had time to look back, I can tell you he is a changed man. He had very little chance of survival but will tell you it was his faith that brought him through it. He even went on to get his pilot's license and became the 1st laryngectomy to do so! He spoke to the children about his experience and about what smoking does to your body. The kids were very receptive and had some great questions for him. Listening to him dredge all the memories back up brought me to tears and I am so proud to be Ken Holland's daughter!

Great job, dad!!!!!