Spring Break
Relay for Life raises money for cancer research
Holly Blair
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
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Among the survivors was Sandra Shumaker. She is a breast cancer survivor. "This is my five-year mark," she said. Shumaker was not alone in her survivor lap. She was accompanied by many others who have fought.
Able Tyson is a fellow survivor. He will be 3 years old this year and has battled neuroblastoma since he was diagnosed at 18 months old. The Quillen Team wore "team Able" on their shirts for the second year honoring his fight.
Able has brain damage caused by his heart stopping during a surgery to remove the cancer. Following his surgery Able underwent seven rounds of chemotherapy and two rounds of radiation. He is in rehabilitation and learning sign language now.
Adam Tyson, Able's father and a second-year medical student at Quillen College of Medicine, pushed his son's stroller around the Mini Dome. "He has been on a tough road and has amazed me and I know others by how brave he is," said Tyson. "He will turn 3 in July and we have a big birthday to celebrate."
Tyson hopes to work on alleviating some of the side effects people undergoing chemotherapy face. "If there was a side effect, Able had it. It was like the whole world went wrong for him. But the people who helped him cope with these side effects really made a difference," he said. "Doctors put these ridiculous limits on what they can do the help. I would like to challenge that, and put people in front of rules."
Two other survivors walked together, Wanda and Jessie Mae Richardson. Wanda is Jessie Mae's daughter and together they have faced breast cancer. Both walked showing the after effects chemotherapy has left them with. Their hair is gone for the most part and their head mirrored each other. Jessie Mae had her last chemo treatment this week that followed her double mastectomy. The two brave women stood together and walked in hope that this would help make a difference for others after them. "Wanda spoke to the crowd just prior to the survivor lap and read a poem that her mother wrote during her treatments. "When they find a cure, you are part of it," she said addressing the participants.
It was not only survivors who participated in the 12-hour walk. It was students, faculty, and community members who have been affected.
Robert Baodau, a junior at ETSU, paced himself for a 12-hour run for his third annual relay race. Baodau runs in remembrance of his mother who passed away from lung cancer his senior year in high school.
"I have been running for three years," Baodau said. "I try to run the whole 12 hours but it is difficult for anyone." Baodau has a personal trainer that helps him prepare for this ambitious goal. "I run to help raise money and awareness for cancer research. Running was something I used to get out of the house when my mom was sick." Now he runs to honor her and help others.
Valerie Hendirix, the Alpha Phi Omega team captain, walked with her mother. "I relay for two reasons," she said. "My grandmother died of cancer and my mother is a two-time survivor. I walked the entire time last year. It is a great think to do, and I have a lot of fun doing it." The Alpha Phi Omega team was also one of the top five teams to raise the most money, donating $1,098.
The night involved games, a Luminaria Ceremony, and a unifying experience. The Cycling Club was offering five laps on bikes for $1 donation. There was volleyball, basketball, an obstacle course and a "Dude looks like a lady contest" throughout the night.
Laura Fritts, a senior and member of the relay committee, said, "When you think about it, even if you have not been affected by cancer, you know some one who has."
One of the ways the relay recruits for teams is to ask people to stand up if they have been affected, then their parents, then cousins can get a reaction. "Usually by the time I get to cousins everyone in the room is standing," said Meagan England, publicity chair for the committee, said. "There are tons of people on campus who are survivors or who have been affected by it. People just don't talk about it."
Relay for Life had 523 participants and raised $21,491.07 for cancer research. According to the American Cancer Society, the goal by year 2015 is a 50 percent reduction in the cancer mortality rate, and 25 percent reduction in the cancer incidence rate. They also hope the see measurable improvement in the quality of life form the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life for all cancer survivors.