Before Dee Dee began helping families find their homes, she spent three decades as a cornerstone of public safety in the Valley. With 30 years of dedicated service—split evenly between 15 years with the Harrisonburg Police Department and 15 years with the 9-1-1 Center—Dee Dee’s career has always been defined by a deep commitment to her neighbors.
This foundation of public service, built on integrity and professional care, seamlessly transitioned into her community work as a pancreatic cancer survivor. Today, she continues to give back as the Event Lead (Chairperson) of Harrisonburg/Rockingham Relay for Life proving that for Dee Dee, serving the "Friendly City" is more than a career—it’s a lifelong calling.
The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is much more than just a fundraiser; it is a global, volunteer-led movement dedicated to ending cancer as we know it. Organized by the American Cancer Society, this community-based event brings together survivors, caregivers, and local residents to honor those who have faced a diagnosis and remember those we’ve lost. The mission focuses on three critical pillars: funding groundbreaking research to find future cures, advocating for equitable access to care through legislative action, and providing essential support to patients and their families—such as the Hope Lodge program, which offers free lodging during treatment. By uniting participants through signature ceremonies like the Luminaria and the Survivor Lap, Relay For Life turns collective grief into a powerful force for hope and action.
We love highlighting our agents' community involvement and celebrating what brings them joy outside of the office. And with this year’s Relay coming up, Dee Dee was kind enough to talk with us a little bit about what this cause and event means to her. Check out our Q&A with Dee Dee, below!
Q. What drew you to get involved with Relay for Life—what makes this cause so close to your heart?
A. "I became involved with Relay for Life after my own battle with pancreatic cancer. Our family aren’t strangers to cancer as I lost my Dad to cancer in 2007 and my Mom is a 21 year cancer survivor. When I was diagnosed in 2020, during COVID, my battle was very private and personal, and I shared it with only those closest to me. When I decided to share my story publicly, I was met with so much support by the community that I decided to get involved with Relay for Life as a way to give back. Everyone isn’t as lucky as I was to survive cancer and be able to live a normal life, so I wanted to do all I could to help raise money to support other cancer patients and caregivers and to raise funds for life saving research."
Q. What does your day-to-day role as Event Lead (Chairperson), Rockingham/Harrisonburg Relay for Life involve, and what's the biggest challenge you've taken on in that position?
A. "When I initially got involved with Relay for Life, I took on the role of fundraising and community outreach. Over the years I’ve worked with many great local businesses who sponsor Relay for Life and give generously to the cause. I’d been asked to take on a larger role in the past but never accepted the opportunity simply due to time constraints. This year, when I was asked to lead our event, I accepted the offer and, as a result, have forged friendships that will last a lifetime. I work with a wonderful group of folks on our event leadership team and am amazed at the time and effort everyone gives to this great event.
For me, balancing a very busy career along with the responsibilities of leading this event has been the largest challenge. I like to give 100% to everything I do so finding the extra hours in the day has been a challenge, but it is by far overshadowed by the pride I take in being able to help others during one of the most challenging times in their lives."
Q. Has there been a particular moment or person during your time with Relay for Life that has stuck with you or reminded you why this work matters?
A. "During my cancer battle, one of the worst times for me was when I lost my hair. For me, that was the difference between looking like the “sick girl” and being able to hide behind a full head of hair. While I had the most wonderful support system by my side, during that time I found myself needing to reach out to another resource and called the American Cancer Society’s helpline. My call was met by the most wonderful person on the other end of the phone who directed me to places where I could get a wig and stayed on the phone with me until they knew I had the resources I needed to get through this part of my journey. While serving in the role of Event Lead for this year’s Relay for Life I had another individual reach out to me. She was in the midst of her cancer battle and was losing her hair. Ironically, she’d found my contact information on the local Relay for Life website, and I was able to help her work through this challenge, just like I’d been helped 6 years ago. That was truly a full circle moment for me. I see and talk to people everyday who are facing these kinds of situations, and I’m honored to be able to play a role in helping them overcome the obstacles that cancer throws in your path.
I want a world where no one fights alone and working with Relay for Life, it's great volunteers and the American Cancer Society puts us one step closer to reaching that goal. I’d encourage others to support Relay for Life and help end cancer as we know it, for everyone."
This year, Harrisonburg and Rockingham’s Relay For Life - Festival For Hope is Saturday, May 9th from 5-10pm at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds.
“Mark your calendar now and make plans to join us for a very special evening filled with fun, food, activities, entertainment & hope! We will Celebrate cancer survivors, Remember loved ones lost and Fight Back as a community by fundraising for a cure.
Relay For Life started in 1985 as a 24-hour walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society and has evolved into an impactful family-friendly event with activities for all ages. Join us for activities, food, & fun; walk as much or little as you're able; and help us make a difference.” (Source: Relay for Life of Harrisonburg and Rockingham)
Check out the Relay for Life of Harrisonburg and Rockingham website for more information about and ways to get involved with this wonderful cause and event, here!
Cover photo and schedule of events credit: Harrisonburg and Rockingham Relay for Life.
All other photos credit: Dee Dee Sencindiver.
