Growing up in Bellingham, I have witnessed firsthand what a caring community such as ours can do when we come together, and have taken inspiration from this little community in northwest Washington.

Following my graduation from Bellingham High School I moved to Scotland to attend Stirling University and became captain of the women's soccer team there. Recently the team and I have been given the opportunity to run the Barcelona Marathon in March of 2013, to raise money for the Association for International Cancer Research.

While being active my entire life, I have never been what you would call a runner. However, I have decided that if thousands of people a year can fight the horrible disease that is cancer, I can find the drive to run a marathon.

I decided to undertake this marathon because I believe strongly in the work that the Association for International Cancer Research does and because in our busy lives, we often forget the positive impact that the actions of one person can have on the lives of others.

All of the money that I raise is going directly to the charity in memory of my late grandmother, Donna Dugger, who died of cancer several years ago.

Association for International Cancer Research uses this money in its dedicated research, working towards beating the conniving disease that is cancer.

I am currently looking for the help of my community in the form of donations or sponsorship to raise money for this amazing cause, so that maybe together we can give some family in the future the best gift they could ever ask for -- the gift of life.

Please take a few minutes out of your day to have a look at my website at justgiving.com/todayyoucreateyourself. Every little bit helps, so please pass this along to your neighbors, colleagues, friends and family. Let's show the world what a little town from northwest Washington can do.

Joy Robinette, 20, of Bellingham is studying at Stirling University, Scotland.

Window On My World is an occasional essay in Monday's Bellingham Herald that allows Whatcom County residents to share their passion for what they do, an idea or cause they support. Send your Window On My World, which must be no more than 700 words, to Julie.shirley@bellinghamherald.com.