Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 117, No. 25	June 24, 2009

Relay for Life 2009:
The light at the end of the tunnel

By VICKEY CARWILE
Messenger Staff

“When you think death is around the corner, the grass is greener, the sky is bluer and the flowers are prettier. You thank God for every day.”

Photos by Vickey Carwile
Cancer survivors received much-deserved recognition and were presented survivor medallions during the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life which was held June 19-20, at the Meade County Fairgrounds.

This was a portion of the eloquent speech given by Donna Pearson, Brandenburg, during the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Pearson is a survivor of uterine, breast and bone cancer. She has written a book entitled, “God My Keeper,” which is an account of her personal struggle with cancer and her unwavering faith in God. It has been this faith that has gotten her through her ordeal. She continued, “I am here to speak about hope and encouragement. Each of you should never give up on hope.

Someday there will be a cure for every kind of cancer. Dreams become reality only when pursued.”

Pearson joined other cancer survivors in receiving their survivor medallions. Afterwards, all the survivors proudly took the traditional first lap. Cancer survivors who participated were: Mike Stone, Jettie Burnett, Fay Mattingly, Donna Kunkler, Gene Adle, Peggy Adle, Beverly Morrison, Joyce Claycomb, Karen Blake, David Howser, Mary Ladd, Ruth Fackler, Rebecca Flaherty, Bobbie Allen, Toni Eden, Artie Howell, Paul Watts, Rayma Faye Hubbard, Ginny Mitchell, Kirsten Cater, Lisa Reeves, Archie Romines, Billy Adams, Bobbi Mann, Patty Beckham and Steve Robinson. After the survivors’ lap, all other participants in the Relay began their laps which would last all night and into the early morning hours.

This year, the Relay was held at the Meade County Fairgrounds June 19-20 and just over $14,000 was generated. Although the numbers were down from previous years, several camps participated. They were: The LaTondress Team – “A Journey for Jack;” the Curves Team – “Fight With All Your Might;”
Flaherty Elementery School Team – “Shooting For A Cure;” the Burnett Team – “Winning With Pride;”
Meade County Wrestling Team; and the First Federal Savings Bank team – “First Federal Fiesta.”

Lorraine Yokie created and donated a cake for the Relay, just as she does each year. James Perguson,
Ekron, owner of Music by Happy Hour Productions, Disk Jockey and Karaoke Services, provided karaoke At dusk, approximately 340 luminarias were lit up by volunteers who placed artificial candles in white paper bags. The luminarias are previously purchased in honor of and in memory of loved ones who have lost their battle with cancer, those battling cancer and those who have won the battle are written on the bags. The names of these are written on the outside of the bags.

Despite extreme humidity and temperatures in the 90s, the dedicated participants continued walking. The young, the elderly, men, women and children. All walking to raise money for the American Cancer Society – money used in cancer research.

One of the touching features of the event took place in the evening. Billy Adams, currently in remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, spoke of the battle he endured with the disease. “It (cancer) can hurt you physically, mentally and emotionally,” he said. “But it can change your life in another way. It can make you stronger than you were before.”

After a prayer by Andy Moore, pastor of Salem Baptist Church, Adams read a list of names of those who had lost their battle with cancer. James Chism read a list of cancer survivors and Adams’ wife, Rhonda, read a poem entitled, “From Dark to Light,” written by Danielle Young. Adams concluded by stating, “This is not only our battle, but also our friends, family and caregivers who choose to go through it with us.”

The Relay for Life brings people and communities together. The motto is: Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back – Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer; Remember loved ones who have lost their battle; and Fight Back against the dreaded disease.

Cancer is life-changing – not only for those afflicted by it, but also for family members and friends who are forced to watch their loved ones endure it. The disease itself can cause unimaginable pain, agony and depression. Oftentimes the treatment can be even worse.

In recent years, participation in the Relay has dropped, possibly due to the economy. But every day, more people are diagnosed with some type of cancer. These people need the Relay and the Relay needs volunteers. Whether it’s helping to light the luminarias, becoming a team captain and organizing a team, or setting up tables and chairs – the public’s participation is needed.

To learn more about the Relay or become a volunteer, go to americancancersociety.org, relayforlife.org, or call area director of North Central Kentucky, Russell Schuman at (502) 303-2955.

The next cancer patient could be you or someone you love. There is no guarantee in this life.

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