Family’s Cancer History Inspires Central Resident to Volunteer for Relay For Life

By Christiana Johns

When a loved one suffers from cancer, the experience can be hard on the family, but when several family members are afflicted with the disease, the experience can be especially difficult.

Central native Kathy Edgens knows this all too well. Her mother, sister and brother-in-law have all been diagnosed with cancer. Her mother had lymphoma, her sister was diagnosed just in November with breast cancer, and her brother- in-law died of colon cancer eight years ago. With Kathy’s family history she might even face the disease herself one day.

Not only has Kathy watched what her family has gone through, but as a home health nurse in Central and Denham Springs she has watched others suffer as well.

But Kathy decided to do something about it. Motivated by her family’s illnesses, she decided to volunteer and participate with Central’s Relay For Life, a fundraiser sponsored by the American Cancer Society for research, education and patient services. Kathy is in charge of organizing teams for Central’s second Relay to be held on June 1.

She became involved in Relay through her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. One of the troop leaders has a daughter who works for the American Cancer Society that put Kathy in touch with ACS. Although she was a little hesitant to take on the extra responsibility, she quickly changed her mind. “I saw what my mom and sister went through. It’s a great cause, and who knows, I might be facing it myself one day,” Kathy said.

“Relay allows more money for research, and the turn around on drugs is so quick now,” said Susan Kolb, Kathy’s sister who has breast cancer. One of the medications Susan takes, Herceptin, was developed through funding from the American Cancer Society. Susan recently had a successful surgery and after less than six months from discovering the cancer, she is now in remission. Kathy’s mom has been in remission since September 2000.

The goal of Relay For Life is to raise money for research and programs to educate the public about cancer in addition to providing services for patients. The event also honors survivors and those who have died by bringing the community together, one of the reasons Kathy became involved in the first place.

“It’s something within the Central community and allows them to participate,” she said. “Last year there was little coverage so it took a while to get the word out, but this year I think there will be a lot more people.”

Susan said she hopes the event will inspire people to take more preventative measures for their health by eating right and exercising. She also hopes that it will motivate those suffering from cancer to maintain a positive attitude.

“There are days you will get down, but you choose the end result by choosing your attitude,” Susan said. “I’m the type of person I don’t like anything to beat me. You can’t wake up every day feeling sorry for yourself. You have to have a lot of faith.”

“You keep going. It ends when you survive, so it’s worth it to do what it takes to survive,” Kathy said.

For information about organizing teams participate in Relay For Life, call Kathy at 202- 8419.

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Central’s Second Annual Relay For Life to be Held on Friday, June 1

Last year marked Central's first Relay For Life, and now the event returns for its second year on June 1 at Central High School.

Participating teams help raise money for research and take turns walking the track and camping out overnight to honor those who died as well as survived cancer.

Last year on August 18, Central hosted its first Relay For Life. Once again the American Cancer Society has brought the event back to Central for a second year in a row.

This year’s Relay For Life in Central will be held on June 1 at Central High School beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m. on June 2. Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event that offers everyone in the community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. The overnight event remembers those who lost the fight against cancer and honors those who have survived. The event aims to raise funds for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient service programs in addition to raising cancer awareness as well.

Participants form teams in order to raise money before the event. During Relay, teams set up food and tents to camp out while playing games throughout the night. Along with the community, cancer survivors join together for the Survivor’s Victory Lap that officially kicks off Relay For Life. After the sun goes down, hundreds of luminaria candles are lit during the Ceremony of Hope to honor those who lost the fight to cancer or are battling the disease, and to celebrate those who have survived.

This year the American Cancer Society estimates that 1.3 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and one of every three deaths is from cancer. ACS also estimates that 1,500 people will die from cancer in 2007 alone.

Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, to support those who are facing cancer now, and that one day there will be a cure. More than 4,500 Relays take place across the country and the world every year.

If you are interested in participating in Central’s Relay For Life or forming a team, contact Kathy Edgens at 202-8419. For more information about Relay For Life or the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org.