Rob Ashton and I were honored to participate as models in the 3^rd Annual Fashion Show to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Natick and Framingham on Thursday evening February 7, 2008 at The Crowne Plaza in Natick, Massachusetts.

The pre-requisite to be a model in this fashion show was that you had to be a cancer survivor, as Rob and I are.

Please read the attached brief descriptions of Rob’s and my respective cancer stories.

The evening was particularly emotional for Rob because this event marked the very first time he openly declared the fact that he is a cancer survivor.

He was both overwhelmed…and touched…by the enormity of the support and encouragement he so spontaneously received by those who have “been there too.”

It was an extremely powerful and humbling evening…filled with pride and inspiration.

-Meryl

.....from the Program Book

Meryl Lemeshow Breast Cancer - 15 years

Meryl is a 15 year breast cancer survivor, having had bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction. She has been married to Mal Lemeshow for 30 years and is the proud mother of Joshua Scott (age 23) and Stacy Ellen (age 21). She is a registered Nurse with a Certification in Operating Room Nursing. She is now an inventor and entrepreneur. She has invented a breast pillow called "The Breast Rest" (available thru AliMed, Inc. of Dedham, MA) and became Certified as a Personal Trainer and Cancer Exercise Specialist. She is the owner and President of a very special fitness studio, The Fitness Prescription, in Natick, Massachusetts (www.thefitnessprescription.com). She has her own cable TV program entitled "The Fitness Prescription" which encompasses health, wellness, and fitness education.

Robert Ashton Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma - 1997

I am a Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist, Basketball Coach, student and a husband.  I served in the United States Army from 1991-1995 and I have had the opportunity to play as a professional athlete from 1995-1997.  As of August 2007, I became a five year cancer survivor of stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  This is a disease in which I relapsed in 2001; and again in 2002 before undergoing a stem cell transplant that same year. Having the support of my family, friends and the staff at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, my long, arduous battle with cancer was a successful one. Through my support systems, I had the opportunity to participate in my first official Boston Marathon this past year.  The event served as the final stage; the final obstacle of the fight that began ten years ago with my initial diagnosis. Although that event was a personal milestone, I did not run for myself. I ran for individuals and families who continue their battle against cancer, as well as those who have lost loved ones. It is my hope to inspire those who continue in their fight to do so with conviction and a positive attitude.