Chris is a three-time cancer survivor. He and his wife Jenny founded “Romance for a Cure”, an organization that raises money for cancer research by selling cookies, cakes and other treats every Valentines Day. Or, as Chris calls it, ” a bake sale on steroids”.

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Transcript

My name is Chris. I’m 48 years old. I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma. My name is Jenny. I’m 43 years old and I am Chris’s wife. Romance for a Cure is a fundraising group of individuals determined to find a cure for cancer. Romance for a Cure started 8 years ago when Chris was diagnosed with microepidermoid carcinoma.

We had a 6 month old child and I needed to help. So we decided to go ahead and do our own little version of a bake sale. And our very first year, in 3 weeks, we did 4, 300. It all started at a time where I had just finished surgery and was doing radiation therapy. Jenny wanted to help. I do what she tells me to do.

And so she hatched this idea, hit the ground running with it, and now 8 years later and this year raising over 30, 000 for this past season. It’s just been amazing. This year we donated all of our funds to the Melanoma Research Foundation because obviously we need the cure for melanoma. I know in the dark recesses of her mind, she thinks she can buy a way to a cure.

And watching her work over the last 10 to 12 years on it, I don’t doubt her. I truly believe we are making a difference. These little kids started when they were 5 and 6 years old, and now 2 of them are in college, and they flew home for the weekend to be a part of Romance for a Cure because they didn’t want to miss it.

Our kids don’t know a different way of life other than you give back, you fight with your charity. We’ve done many other fundraisers throughout the year. This is the one that means the most to everyone. This is the one that all of the people we know come and rally around and we make a huge difference.

We have a great time and it’s just a reminder that people are inherently good. I love the fact that I get to be a part of that knowledge and that that’s the life that my child sees.