Our fundraising teams are the key to our success. We have so many great people involved in Relay, all with their own story for 'Why I Relay'. I'd like to introduce one of our returning teams, Friends With a Reason. The team captain, Gina Jayko, provided this story about her history with Relay for Life.
In 1999, I attended my first Relay in Crystal Lake. I wrote a check for $100 and joined a group that was already an existing team. They welcomed me with open arms. What happened that night left an imprint on my mind and in my heart. I vowed that night that I would start a team and raise money.
My team "Friends With a Reason" began in 2000 after my mom passed away from
breast cancer. It was a small group of sisters and sisters-in-law. We each
raised the $100 minimum per person. It was a girl's night out to be together
for a good cause!
Since then, the team has grown to include nieces, friends, daughters, and coworkers. Over the years we have participated in Relays in Crystal Lake, Johnsburg, and Huntley. Our team also changed from being a girls' team to mixed after my son insisted in high school that he too wanted to be
involved. He was the sole male on our team until last year when he brought
aboard some friends.
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Our team is small, but we bring in large amounts of money.
We have raised amounts to reach bronze, silver, gold, and last year platinum
levels. Our team had four Grand Club members; each raising over $1000. Over the years, our team roster has changed for personal reasons, but our goal has
remained the same. We are Friends with a Reason. Our reason is to raise
awareness of a disease that is too familiar in everyone's life; CANCER.
Gina Jayko
Woodstock, IL
