Hello! My name is Kellie St Jacques, team captain of the Relay For Life Team at New London Hospital. We are called the NLH Health Nuts. I have lived in Andover all of my life, and I am glad to share with you my connection with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Kearsarge/Lake Sunapee.

I started working at New London Hospital in November 2011, and I heard about the relay team through e-mails and hospital flyers. I decided to join the team to see what it was all about and to meet new people.

I initially signed up to walk a few laps at the relay. When I got there, the entire experience was inspirational to me. There was music, games, food, and people of all ages there. People were walking the track, some in costume, and everyone was having a great time.

As the night went on and the track darkened, the ceremony started. There was a speech that touched everyone’s heart and left us all quiet in thought.

As we walked the silent, dark lap in memory of those we have lost, we crouched to read the lit luminary bags that surrounded the track with the stories of loved ones, neighbors, and friends. It made me realize the importance of our support to people who have had to deal with cancer in their life.

In 2012, our New London Hospital Health Nuts team captain decided to step down. I did not want this team to lose out on this experience, so I stepped up to take on the role of team captain. I want to help educate people who are fortunate enough not to have had to go through an experience with cancer.

I was one of those people, and all it took was one relay for me to understand why people need our support and what it is all about.

The Relay for Life of Kearsarge/Lake Sunapee takes place this year on Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21, from 6 PM Friday through 10 AM Saturday at the Kearsarge Regional High School, 457 North Road in North Sutton. For more information or to sign up or donate, visit AndoverBeacon.com/Relay2014.