It was seven years ago when retired school teacher Betty Anderson was ‘blindsided? by cancer, turning her world upside down.
‘I went from being a teacher concerned with my kids, my students doing school activities, to a teacher who also had a whole regimen of tests and doctor appointments, treatment options, and decisions to make,? she said. ‘I had surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation and I’ve been cancer free for seven years.?
As part of her celebration, Anderson and many others will participate in this year’s 10th annual Clarkston Relay For Life at Clarkston Junior High, May 9.
Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event, raising funds and awareness of cancer research and patient programs. For 24 hours, teams of family, friends and co-workers camp out and take turns walking a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times as a reminder that cancer never sleeps.
Anderson said she got involved in Relay For Life when she first got sick from the cancer. Her colleagues at school formed a school team, ‘Andersonville Angels.?
‘This will be our eighth year participating,? she said. ‘I’m pretty passionate about cancer research, education, advocacy and this my first year being on the Clarkston Relay For Life committee that plans the relay, so I’m learning a lot from the inside view this time.?
Because the relay is earlier this year, Anderson said they have a lot of school involvement.
‘We’ve got elementary schools involved, doing fundraising and awareness building, which has been really positive,? she said. ‘The high school leadership class is involved on the committee this year and they’re working with entertainment for the relay, so that should be really fun, we have a junior high team and I know the middle school’s also involved, so we’re pretty excited.?
This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating 25 years of Hope.? Anderson said one reason she feels Relay for Life is so important is the service American Cancer Society provides for people who have cancer.
As a cancer survivor, she gets a ‘powerful feeling? at Relay For Life from fellow survivors, her husband, Charlie, and three daughters, Erin, 26, Libby, 24, Kristy, 24, friends, and the community.
‘Since I’ve begun participating, I’ve really seen the community embrace Relay For Life and found out it’s a wonderful way to connect with other people who feel like you do, who want to see a cure for cancer,? she said. ‘Hopefully one day, someone will never have to hear somebody say ‘you have cancer.??
As survivor chairperson on the committee, she works to locate and invite survivors to come to the relay for ‘survivor’s victory lap,? which will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Each participating cancer survivor will gets a special T-shirt.
‘There is a cool saying that’s on the shirt for this year. It’s ‘One day, one night, one community, one fight.’ I really like that,? she said. ‘In order to guarantee them a survivor T-shirt, we need to have their name and size by April 23.?
Other ceremonies include the ‘Fight Back? ceremony in the afternoon and ‘Luminaria? ceremony after sundown. Luminaria are small candlelit bags decorated with names of people who have faced cancer. They line and light the track into the morning hours.
Anderson said the luminaria is the relay’s biggest fundraiser. Suggested donation is $10 for a luminaria bag.
Anderson encourages those who are currently battling cancer to do ‘what feels right for you.?
‘Seek support and accept support from your family and friends, whether its meals, or caring for your children. Be your own best advocate,? she said. ‘When you get medical information, double check it and get second opinions because, in the end, you really need to make those difficult decisions for yourself.?
The relay begins at 10 a.m. and is free to everybody.
‘We are targeting the community to come, families, groups, it’s appropriate for all ages,? she said. ‘There will be entertainment and activities for children right up through adults. The relay is free.?
For more information, call Betty Anderson at 248-625-9182 or Kelly Brown at 248-663-3414. Donations can also be made directly to American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Clarkston at www.relayforlife.org/clarkstonmi.