Graham's United Presbyterian Church on Depot Street in Pine Bush has been a sanctuary for well over 100 years at its present site. In 1796, the church began its first years on Hill Avenue in Pine Bush on a property donated by the Dickerson family. When the church was being built, Robert Graham was always there, helping to build as well as giving encouragement. When the church opened, Graham died the following Sunday, thus the name.

In those days, people went to church by horse and wagon, but they got there. There is still a tenacity and spirit in the membership of Graham's that serves as a perfect metaphor for people who manage to persevere while having to fight cancer every day. Michael Carey, who showed me inside the beautiful wooden structure as well as the pipe organ and the stained glass windows, told me that his sister, Denise Harrison, is a captain in the Relay for Life event, which will be held on June 14 and 15 and will raise money and awareness about cancer.

"I have been a cancer survivor for eleven years," said Harrison. "I had Hodgkins. I want people to know that not only is Relay in Pine Bush, but all over this country to remember those who have died and those who have survived."

Harrison is the captain of her Provident Bank Team. The Harrison family has had several members fighting cancer. Denise's mother, Ilene, had breast cancer and her father had skin cancer.

All the members of the church support Harrison and her family and spent a recent Saturday holding a yard sale to raise money.

"I have been taking part in Relay for three years now," said Harrison. "It brings a lot of hope to all of us."

The Relay will take part at Crawford Park from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. There will be a survivor's lap at 3 p.m. and at 6 p.m. There will be forty teams running in the fight back lap.

Anyone who wants to donate or volunteer will be helping to support research, education, advocacy, and services that allow the American Cancer Society to offer help and hope to people across the country when they need it most. At Graham's Church, the family is not only praising God, but celebrating life, friendship, and an opportunity to work to defeat cancer for future generations.

Presently the services begin at 9 a.m. with Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. The pastor is Reverend Fred Noll.

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