Walking for life

There are no words to describe what Relay for Life is like for Brownstown resident Betty Gillespie.

For eight years, she and her husband, Jack, have proudly donned their survivor T-shirts and walked the victory lap in the annual event.

This year was no different as the couple joined many other cancer survivors, caregivers, friends and family members at the Seymour High School track Friday night to walk for a cure.

"When they diagnose you, you just don't know what to think. There are too many emotions," Betty said. "Relay is kind of like that for me, but in a good way."

Betty has been cancer-free for nine years. She was diagnosed with lung cancer, while Jack battled kidney cancer. After having one of his kidneys removed, he is happy to say he is an eight-year survivor.

"I was lucky," Jack said of his diagnosis. "I didn't have to go through the chemo."

Jack and Betty attribute their cancer-free status to early detection.

"We were both diagnosed early," Jack said. "That's the key."

A positive attitude and outlook on life is a quality many cancer survivors like the Gillespies share.

"We are the type of positive people who thought we'll beat it," Betty said.

"You do what you have to do," Jack added.

That's not to say having cancer is easy on anyone, especially loved ones.

"It's harder on spouses," he said.

They were glad to have each other as they made their way around the track, but they weren't forgetting loved ones who had lost their own battles with the disease.

"My sister and my mother died of cancer," Betty said. "It (Relay) really makes you think about what you're thankful for."

Jack agreed.

"You're glad to see the ones who are here but you think about the ones that didn't survive," he added.

Those who have died of cancer, as well as survivors and those currently fighting cancer were honored and remembered through a luminary service later in the evening Friday. A roll call of names was read as the tiny tea lights flickered around the track.

A total of 36 teams participated in this year's Relay, bringing hundreds of walkers out to raise money for the American Cancer Society and awareness of the fight against cancer. Early totals showed more than $64,000 had been raised. Event organizers said they hoped to bring in at least $90,000.

"We've still got time," said Michelle Gossett, Jackson County community representative for the American Cancer Society.

The event was to go through the night, ending today at 2 p.m. with the closing ceremony and team awards.

Also going on throughout the night and day were live music, a silent auction, kids crafts and survivor games and vendors were set up, donating a portion of proceeds to the event. Meals and refreshments also were available to all participants.

A special memory garden featuring pink plants was on display. A similar garden will be located at the new Don and Dana Myers Cancer Center in Seymour in the near future.

Lynn Ann Kaiser of Brownstown says she just can't get enough of Relay for Life.

She has been the leader of the Bee Team for the past six years, and every time she says she thinks she's had enough, she knows she'll be back for more.

"It started when I went to my first organizational meeting," she said. "Different people were telling why they were involved, either because they were survivors or they had lost someone, and it hit me. I didn't have any survivors."

Although Kaiser has never been diagnosed with cancer herself, she said she has lost many people dear to her to the disease.
"I've lost most of my family and friends, my dad, brother, grandpa, several dear friends that were special to me," she said. "But through Relay and the Bee Team, I've met new friends and made a new family."

Her team has grown to 15 members this year.

"Our theme is The Bee Team Corral and we are Roundin' Up a Cure," she said. "We do this because we care. Some things may change, like our theme, but our reasons are always the same."

But one day, Kaiser said, she hopes there won't be a reason to have Relay for Life, and that a cure for cancer will be found.

"My dream is that someday we don't have to do this," she said.