Stories abound as Relay draws near
Teams turn in money and get shirts for Friday's fundraiser
By DONNA HICKMAN
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
In the Relay For Life, every team has a story.
“We have $3,600 to turn in tonight with more to come!” said Sue Turner of Turner Chevrolet.
Every survivor has a story.
“I’ve had ovarian, colon and skin cancer,” said Liz Boyster.
Everybody has a reason to relay.
“It means everything to me — life and hope!” said Susan Marler.
Team members turned in money and picked up T-shirts Tuesday at Bank of the Leadbelt inside the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Farmington. The Relay is Friday at Mineral Area College.
“We’ve already turned in more than we had at 6 a.m. on the morning of the Relay last year,” said Sharon Misplay of the HoneyPaw team. At the Relay, you’ll find her team decorated with honey bees, bee hives and bear paws and selling crocheted dolls that hold room fresheners and pottery made by Flo Jaster, Misplay’s mom and a cancer survivor — the Honey in the team. Paw is for Jaster’s late husband Don who died of cancer.
Marler is a 7-year survivor who is part of the First Free Will Baptist Church team from Park Hills.
“We’ve had bake sales and an estate sale to raise money,” she said. “One of the people who will be at the Relay with us has just recently been diagnosed with cancer. We told her to come because it gives us all hope.”
Cancer survivors are treated to a tent all their own where they can stay cool, feast on snacks and take part in the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. They take the first lap around a makeshift track.
“When you walk that survivor walk, you feel the energy from all the other survivors and everybody there,” said Marler.
Team members follow and walk the track throughout the night to draw attention to the American Cancer Society’s fight to help cancer’s victims and their families.
Team Recruitment Chairman Don Gann said he’s praying for “Chamber of Commerce Weather.”
“You know — temperatures in the 80s and no humidity,” he explained.
Relay Chairman Carolyn Tyler said she is keeping an eye on the forecast.
“One weatherman said rain Thursday and clear Friday. Another said spot showers in some locations Friday, but that won’t be here,” she said with confidence.
At the Relay, the HoneyPaws will sell snowcones, popcorn and soda. The Turner team will sell homemade ice cream. Charlie Berry will get a haircut.
“It will be my first haircut in 13 months,” he said. “I’ve got enough for a ponytail to send to Locks of Love.” That hair will go to make a wig for someone who loses his or her hair for medical reasons.
Michelle Parks set up the Handy Heroes Team this year in honor of Boyster, her mother who was first diagnosed in 1987 with ovarian cancer and then just weeks later was diagnosed with cancer in her colon.
“In 1990, I had skin cancer,” she explained. “I used to walk with my friend at the Relay in Festus and decided I’d take part in this one closer to home. It’s great. I really have a ball.”
Her team will be selling food and house plants. Parks said the Relay honors a number of people in her family who have battled cancer. She knows her risk is greater because of that and she does what she can to reduce her risk.
“I’ve had a colonoscopy and I do the breast self exams,” she said.
Tyler predicted this Relay will be the “most spectacular” in the 11- year history of the event. She invites those who have never been to come see what it’s all about.
“You will be amazed,” she said, “because there is so much involved and so many people who take part.”
The Relay continues throughout the night with awards given out at 7 a.m. Saturday for the team that has the most spirit, raises the most money and has the best camp site.
“We’ll also have awards this year for teams that stay on the track all night and we’ve got some really good prizes,” Tyler said. “So take a nap on Thursday or Friday and come on out.”
People who haven’t had cancer may sign up from 5-9 p.m. to take part in a Cancer Prevention Study, the third conducted by the American Cancer Society. Answering questions and giving a vial of blood can help researchers looking for cancer’s cause and cure.
“If you want to give back and don't know how this is the way to do it,” said Judy Gillam, Coordinator. “You may not see or realize what you are doing now, but in years to come when you look at your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren and your great-great-grandchildren, you can see how this research has helped them.”
The Daily Journal is a platinum sponsor of the Relay For Life of St. Francois County.
Donna Hickman is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact her at 431-2010, ext. 138 or at dhickman@dailyjournalonline.com.
“We have $3,600 to turn in tonight with more to come!” said Sue Turner of Turner Chevrolet.
Every survivor has a story.
“I’ve had ovarian, colon and skin cancer,” said Liz Boyster.
Everybody has a reason to relay.
“It means everything to me — life and hope!” said Susan Marler.
Team members turned in money and picked up T-shirts Tuesday at Bank of the Leadbelt inside the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Farmington. The Relay is Friday at Mineral Area College.
“We’ve already turned in more than we had at 6 a.m. on the morning of the Relay last year,” said Sharon Misplay of the HoneyPaw team. At the Relay, you’ll find her team decorated with honey bees, bee hives and bear paws and selling crocheted dolls that hold room fresheners and pottery made by Flo Jaster, Misplay’s mom and a cancer survivor — the Honey in the team. Paw is for Jaster’s late husband Don who died of cancer.
Marler is a 7-year survivor who is part of the First Free Will Baptist Church team from Park Hills.
“We’ve had bake sales and an estate sale to raise money,” she said. “One of the people who will be at the Relay with us has just recently been diagnosed with cancer. We told her to come because it gives us all hope.”
Cancer survivors are treated to a tent all their own where they can stay cool, feast on snacks and take part in the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. They take the first lap around a makeshift track.
“When you walk that survivor walk, you feel the energy from all the other survivors and everybody there,” said Marler.
Team members follow and walk the track throughout the night to draw attention to the American Cancer Society’s fight to help cancer’s victims and their families.
Team Recruitment Chairman Don Gann said he’s praying for “Chamber of Commerce Weather.”
“You know — temperatures in the 80s and no humidity,” he explained.
Relay Chairman Carolyn Tyler said she is keeping an eye on the forecast.
“One weatherman said rain Thursday and clear Friday. Another said spot showers in some locations Friday, but that won’t be here,” she said with confidence.
At the Relay, the HoneyPaws will sell snowcones, popcorn and soda. The Turner team will sell homemade ice cream. Charlie Berry will get a haircut.
“It will be my first haircut in 13 months,” he said. “I’ve got enough for a ponytail to send to Locks of Love.” That hair will go to make a wig for someone who loses his or her hair for medical reasons.
Michelle Parks set up the Handy Heroes Team this year in honor of Boyster, her mother who was first diagnosed in 1987 with ovarian cancer and then just weeks later was diagnosed with cancer in her colon.
“In 1990, I had skin cancer,” she explained. “I used to walk with my friend at the Relay in Festus and decided I’d take part in this one closer to home. It’s great. I really have a ball.”
Her team will be selling food and house plants. Parks said the Relay honors a number of people in her family who have battled cancer. She knows her risk is greater because of that and she does what she can to reduce her risk.
“I’ve had a colonoscopy and I do the breast self exams,” she said.
Tyler predicted this Relay will be the “most spectacular” in the 11- year history of the event. She invites those who have never been to come see what it’s all about.
“You will be amazed,” she said, “because there is so much involved and so many people who take part.”
The Relay continues throughout the night with awards given out at 7 a.m. Saturday for the team that has the most spirit, raises the most money and has the best camp site.
“We’ll also have awards this year for teams that stay on the track all night and we’ve got some really good prizes,” Tyler said. “So take a nap on Thursday or Friday and come on out.”
People who haven’t had cancer may sign up from 5-9 p.m. to take part in a Cancer Prevention Study, the third conducted by the American Cancer Society. Answering questions and giving a vial of blood can help researchers looking for cancer’s cause and cure.
“If you want to give back and don't know how this is the way to do it,” said Judy Gillam, Coordinator. “You may not see or realize what you are doing now, but in years to come when you look at your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren and your great-great-grandchildren, you can see how this research has helped them.”
The Daily Journal is a platinum sponsor of the Relay For Life of St. Francois County.
Donna Hickman is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact her at 431-2010, ext. 138 or at dhickman@dailyjournalonline.com.
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