The American Cancer Society, a national voluntary health organization, has selected local cancer survivor Mereda Senter to serve as honorary survivor chair for this year's Relay For Life of Chester County celebration. In place of an in-person event and to keep everyone safe, a drive-through event with virtual ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Downingtown West High School, 445 Manor Ave., Downingtown. This year's theme is "The Greatest Relay on Earth."

Relay For Life unites teams of friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and churches - people from all walks of life. Teams come together to fundraise prior to the event, all with the goal of supporting the American Cancer Society's mission to save lives, celebrate lives and lead the fight to a world without cancer. All money raised from the event will go to cancer research, education, advocacy and services.

Senter, a resident of Coatesville, is a licensed practical nurse and an ordained minister. Senter has been a Relay team captain with The Warrior Queens for seven years. It all began as a way to support a friend who had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Then, in 2018, Senter was diagnosed with plasma cell leukemia, which is a more aggressive form of multiple myeloma. It is a blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system and affects the immune system's ability to fight infections. Senter underwent several rounds of chemotherapy over a year's time, and a stem cell transplant where she had to remain in the hospital for a month while her body built up its immune system. It has been two years since the stem cell transplant, and she remains in remission today. She will have to remain on oral chemotherapy for the rest of her life.

Senter said that cancer has given her a new perspective on life. She lives every day to the fullest, making memories with her husband, Rodney; daughters, Danielle, Rhondalee and Jaimie; and her grandchildren. She is passionate about finding ways to help lower costs for cancer patient's medical treatments, therapy, and medicines. In fact, she most recently joined the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), a group that advocates for better access to care, cancer prevention and early detection programs, cancer research funding and more.

For more information on registering a team, being a participant, making a donation, becoming a sponsor or volunteering for the Relay For Life, visit http://www.relayforlife.org/pacc and follow the event on social media @rflpacc.