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Opening Ceremony
Cancer survivor Tiffany Hecklinski stirred emotions among 150 or so people at the opening ceremony of Saline's Relay for Life at Crabtree Field.
Here are excerpts from her speech.
One ambulance ride, one emergency surgery and two days later, my transformation had taken place.
I went from being a typical 37,-year-old working mother of three, to colon cancer survivor.
For me, the most different memories of that year are how cancer affected those around me. I remember the panic in my father’s voice after I fainted in his arms from dehydration. I remember the helpless look in my mother’s eyes as she was holding my head as I was getting sick. I remember my husband Jeff calling me after the biggest win of his professional career, the last second victory over Notre Dame in the Big House. He called me from the middle of the field, so excited to have won, yet more concerned that I was OK.
Those are the memories that motivate me and those are the memories that haunt me.
To not only be healthy, but to make sure that no other mother has to go through what I went through.
I’ve never been angry that cancer happened to me, but I am furious that cancer has happened to those around me. No parent deserves to see what my parents saw me go through and no child should watch their mother experience what my children saw me experience.
And that is why this event is so important.
More News from Saline
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- What to do in Saline this weekend: Puzzle's Tournament at Carrigan, Lenten Fish Fry, Farmers Market, Comedy, Hanky Sale and More Check out these 9 events coming up this weekend on our calendar.
