Auctioning off a flag for cancer: 'Every signature goes a long way'

EUGENE, Ore. - Monique Tyler never misses an Olympic Trial event.

"My husband started me in track and field many years ago," Tyler said.

The Portland resident has attended every track and field trial with her husband since 1984.

"I have my tickets every year, we are a track and field family," Tyler said.

This year, however, she didn't have the usual company by her side.

"My husband died January 11, 2011," Tyler said.

The trial fan lost both her husband, Marv, and stepson, Greg, to cancer last year.

Marv died of pancreatic cancer and Greg died from colon cancer.

Tyler's youngest stepson, Mark, died years ago of a heart condition.

"Here without everybody was going to be very difficult, so I decided to take on a private project," Tyler said.

Tyler's husband received an honorary flag for his service with the Coast Guard.

She decided to take that flag to the finish line and ask all the Olympic finalists to sign it in her husband and stepsons' honor.

"Lomong actually kissed the flag just before he signed it," Tyler said. "I was exhilarated to be in the moment but when I looked back on it, it makes me very emotional. Every signature goes a long way."

Tyler plans to auction off the flag on eBay and donate the money to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, Muscular Dystrophy, and Elder Abuse.

"Any way we can stop one more person from being diagnosed is a good thing," Tyler said.

Through this act, Tyler hopes to save lives with help from Olympic athletes at an event her family enjoyed so very much.

"I can't think of anything better and I think my husband would be absolutely supporting me all the way along," Tyler said.

Tyler plans to put the flag up on eBay in the next few days.

If the flag isn't auctioned off before the Olympic games next month, Tyler plans to take it with her to London and get even more signatures.