Purple Power for people with cancer

Suzanna Spencer is rallying all the troops and kicking into high gear as she prepares volunteers to raise $115,000 this year to fund cancer research, programs and services, and education. This spring, thousands of supporters will converge on the Kootenai County Fairgrounds to support this effort, with Spencer, co-chair of CDA Relay For Life, in the lead. She has been a part of Relay For Life since 1999 as a team member or team captain.

Having served on the committee since 2008 and on the Regional Relay Task Force that mentors Relay's in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and North Dakota the last two years, Spencer is more than experienced to be the ultimate cheerleader for the American Cancer Society. Her excitement and endurance will take the teams to the top to reach their goal and put the FUN in fundraising!

Suzanna Spencer is most passionate about cancer, kids and community. Some local programs that benefit from Spencer's volunteerism include Look Good/Feel Better, a program that teaches women to apply make-up after cancer treatments.

Another program matches up volunteers with cancer patients that need rides to treatments and doctor appointments. And one of her favorite's, Camp Goodtimes East, is a camp on the banks of the Spokane River in Post Falls that treats kids like kids, even while they are going through the trauma of cancer.

Spencer volunteers at least 10 hours per week, and more, as it gets closer to Relay. "I am lucky that my employer, Inland Northwest Bank, is willing to let me use some work time to devote to this project," states Spencer. "It is great to be part of a local business that promotes volunteerism."

Her volunteer responsibilities include visiting local businesses and organizations and talking about what the American Cancer Society does. She is always looking for new sponsors and teams, along with new creative ways for the event to fundraise. "CDA Relay For Life is an amazing family event ... music, games and food all night long and free for the public to attend! This year we are even adding a midnight glow stick run for our local running community." As the co-chair of the event, it is her job to make sure the volunteers are all on task and on schedule to put on a fun, meaningful event for the community.

It can be said that most everyone's life has been affected by cancer. There are touching stories of survivors and those that have lost their battles with cancer. These are stories about moms and dads and sisters and brothers. "I decided to be a volunteer for the American Cancer Society because my sister died of cancer at 18 and my dad is a double cancer survivor," shares Spencer. "I don't want any sister or daughter to go through what I have had to go through. My sister died a month before she graduated from high school. THAT is why I Relay."

Spencer is supported by her husband Bob, a "voluntold," as he calls himself, who also lost his mother to cancer. This is his 5th year, by her side as a "voluntold," sharing in the experience. You could say that Suzanna Spencer, along with her family, two dozen volunteers and 500 team members, are so dedicated to their cause that they "bleed purple," - the color of Relay For Life.

When asked to share a favorite memory with us about volunteering, Suzanna told us about Laura, a 1-year cancer survivor that refuses to let her life stop just because she has cancer, and now is training for her first Ironman. "What I realize," says Spencer, "is a cancer diagnosis often makes people stronger, hungrier to live, willing to take leaps of faith that they might not have done before. I always see HOPE in the survivors."

Judy Lipman, Executive Director, Team Eastern Washington of the American Cancer Society gives Spencer accolades of praise. "She volunteers all over. She has a very sound foundation and is great at advising those teams that need more leadership and an 'out of the box' approach to better their events. Her enthusiasm is contagious!"

Suzanna Spencer was born and raised in Oregon, went to college in California and then ended up in beautiful North Idaho 5 years ago after marrying Bob Spencer. She was not blessed with children but has one dog and two cats that get treated like royalty at her house. She recently lost 58.5 pounds, and plans on losing another 42 pounds. Thirty percent of cancer deaths can be prevented by a healthier lifestyle (i.e.: avoiding smoking, drinking, obesity), so she has committed to losing 100 pounds through eating better, eating less and moving more. After a little more than 6 months, she has lost 58.5 pounds and plans on living a long life because she has a lot more volunteering to do.

Get Connected to Suzanna Spencer and other volunteer opportunities at www.KootenaiUnitedWay.org

Volunteer Opportunity: Let's Chop Wood!

Since January 2005, ElderHelp has utilized the unique talents, skills and knowledge of volunteers to support their mission, "To assist low income Senior citizens with their safety issues, so they may live in their homes as long as they choose." ElderHelp volunteer's help seniors maintain independence while living a more dignified and meaningful life style. They offer support and companionship to home bound seniors experiencing the effects of social isolation and to compliment other local senior services in assisting the elderly.