The countdown is on for Oak Harbor’s Relay for Life, slated for next Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4 at North Whidbey Middle School.

Navy members and their families will join others across Whidbey Island in the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

Among them will be a family stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Hospital Corpsmen Nathan and Wendy Charboneau, and at least three of their six children.

The family has a significant reason to take part this year.

Their youngest daughter, 2-year-old Elayna, is currently undergoing treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer.

“This is my first year participating in Relay for Life,” said Wendy.
“We can’t think of a better way to show our appreciation for the care shown our daughter than to support this effort.

“My friend and co-worker, former Hospital Corpsman Heather Buenaventura, is a team captain for Relay for Life, and she invited us to participate,” said Wendy.

Naval Hospital Oak Harbor alone has two or three teams participating this year, but there are many teams “from all over the base,” according to Wendy.

Elayna was diagnosed with cancer while the Charboneaus were stationed in Chicago.

Even before that time, they supported St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, inspired by a childhood friend of Wendy’s who had received cancer treatment there.

Now, they are dedicated supporters of Relay for Life as well.

“All the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society,” said Wendy. “It’s a very worthy cause, and the money raised will be put to good use,” she said.
Buenaventura, their team captain, is equally passionate about the fundraiser.

“This is a great thing to be involved in. This year marks my sixth year of participation,” said Buenaventura.

Like many others, she has experienced firsthand the challenges posed by a cancer diagnosis.

“I’m thankful to be a cancer survivor, for 25 years now,” said Buenaventura.

“It’s both gratitude, and the hope for a cure someday, that motivates me,” she said.

Buenaventura also finds it inspiring that the Charboneau family plans to participate in the Relay.

“Elayna will be the youngest participant there. It’s an honor to join with her and others of all ages in the march for a cure,” she said.

The 2011 Relay for Life of North Whidbey gets underway at 6 p.m. Friday, June 3 and runs through 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at North Whidbey Middle School in Oak Harbor. So far there are 115 teams and more than 1,160 people scheduled to participate.
For information about this event, contact April Wilder at aprilstar@silvana.org or Miranda Hoppock at mnhoppock@gmail.com.