Turning Niagara Falls Purple

Editor's note: Relay for Life is taking place this Saturday at Saddleback College (28000 Marguerite Pkwy.) So far the group has raised over $110,000, putting them on track to meet their goal of $113,000 this year. Learn more about the Mission Viejo Relay for Life here.

The following post explains how a Mission Viejo resident worked to light up Niagara falls in commemoration of the American Cancer Society. It comes courtesy of Relay event chair Margot Ferron:

Last year I saw the “pink Niagra Falls.” As a member of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Mission Viejo, I said darn, (well maybe I said darn). They need to color it purple. I embarked on a journey to get Niagra Falls purple! I made many calls, requests, filled out the necessary paperwork and just imagined the purple falls.
 
“Please, please color the Falls purple to honor the American Cancer Society’s 100th Anniversary. Oh, and by the way can we you do it on June 2, 2013 as a tribute to survivors’ of cancer on National Cancer Survivors Day?”

I received congratulations and confirmation. “Greeting Margot from Niagara Falls….. WE are all set to light the Falls Purple in honor of National Survivors Day on June 2 and the 100thAnniversary of the American Cancer Society.

This is actually both sides of the Falls… they are lit from the Canadian and all the Falls are lit so it really is a bi-national effort!” FUN. Thanks for organizing this most worthy tribute,” Angela Bertie, APR Western District Marketing and Public Affairs Coordinator NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

If you are fortunate enough to be at the Niagra Falls on June 2, National Cancer Survivor day the purple illuminations will be9:15- 9:30 pm; 9:45-10pm and 10:15-10:30 pm.

I am busting with purple pride. Of course, many of you think I have some wild, outrageous, crazy ideas. I don’t. I just believe in something, research it until I am purple in the face and then make every monumental effort to make it happen.
 
There have been so many times I have fallen down so hard; I struggled to get back up. What I do know is you have to turn on your own light, decide what it is you want to illuminate and go for it. We have to create our own happiness.
 
I love purple, I have always loved purple and I love the American Cancer Society. Anyone who knows me knows, I love to research, read and I love the utmost impossible. People tend to think I am the bartender, the psychiatrist maybe even Webster’s. They ask me questions- Why is there a shortage of helium, Is Princess Kate’s pregnancy condition, (hyperemesis gravidarum), for real, how old is Barbara Walters?
 
So now you know, I thoroughly researched the American Cancer Society before I jumped in to Relay. When I was 34 years old I had breast surgery and needed to get mammograms every year after. I qualified for help, but was told I needed to be 40 years old before they could help me. Naturally, I was obliviously, sad. My attitude was bad about raising any money for the cancer.
 
However, now I have a lot of friends raising money for Relay for Life and they brushed their purple passion on me. I researched and I have met people who have actually used many of the services of the American Cancer Society.
 
 The American Cancer Society has funded 46 Nobel laureates. They research every kind of cancer that affects all of us. In addition, ACS offers many services- Reach to Recovery, rides to treatment, prescription drug assistance program, scholarships for children who survived cancer, Look Good Feel Better, Hope Lodge…the list seems endless.
 
ACS not only funds research, advocacy, education and services it genuinely provides each of us with an avenue to fight back and remember our loved ones. Plus, it is a unique way for us to create a community enriched by a tapestry of people who want to know their neighbors and share their love by helping one another.
 
So don’t be afraid “get your purple on.” You are welcome to join us and Relay in Mission Viejo on June 1 and 2. Please go to mvrelay.org for more information or email me atgomargotgo@aol.com. If you aren’t in Mission Viejo, you can find an event and register at RelayforLife.org/JoinTheRelayMovement.
 
In fact, there is help for anyone who has been touched by cancer, just call the American Cancer Society’s National CancerInformation Center at 1-800-227-2345 anytime of the day, any day of the week, 365 days of the year.
 
Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back. Dream, dream big. Dream in purple, dream in red, just have a dream!