Joining the fight

Article Photos

LEWISTOWN - The theme for this year's Mifflin-Juniata Relay For Life was "Fighting back against cancer," and the participants did just that.

Members of the community joined together Saturday and Sunday at Derry Township Community Park in Lewistown to support a cause they all believe in: the fight against cancer. Sites were built by local residents, businesses and organizations that displayed ways to fight cancer. Some focused on healthy eating while others provided information on getting regular exams. Survivors or not, almost everyone at the event has been affected by cancer one way or another.

Jean Wagner and Susie Cannon, co-chairs of Corvette America's team, said their team has participated in Relay For Life for the past three or four years.

Wagner said one reason she supports the event is because her brother passed away from cancer.

"I just think it's a really good cause," she said. "We all know someone (that's been affected by cancer)."

Cannon said she knows about 100 people that have battled cancer, some successful and others not. This past year, her mother successfully battled cancer so this year's relay is more important than ever for her, she said.

"The need never goes away," she said.

Mike Shawver and Jerry Purcell, of St. John's Lutheran Church, helped put together their team's display that focused on ways to fight cancer through healthy eating. Information was provided about certain cancer-fighting foods, such as spinach, tomatoes and carrots, they explained.

"That was the first thing that came to our minds," Shawver said about this year's theme.

He said his favorite part about the event is the fellowship.

"It's amazing how much money we get in this area," he said.

Purcell added that cancer survivors inspire him because they have a "good outlook on life."

Cookie Yocum, of Malta Home's team, said this is the first year her team has participated in relay.

"It's a good cause," she said, adding that she has family members that are survivors, as well as employees and friends.

She said survivors are an inspiration to her because they are fighters.

"They're strong," she said. "They don't give up. They're amazing people."

She added that it's great her team is pulling together this year to support relay.

"We're excited that we're all here," she said.

Christine Suloff, part of Wal-Mart's team, said a big reason she came to the event is to help find a cure for cancer.

"We lost family and friends to the disease," she said, adding that she doesn't want to see that happen again to anyone else.

For Beth Hassinger, part of the Life Savers team, attending Relay For Life is something she does to support her husband, an 11-year cancer survivor, she said.

She said she attends Relay For Life to "bring awareness," and because cancer affects everyone.

Marilyn Burnham, a cancer survivor, has participated in Relay For Life ever since she's known about it, she said.

Burnham was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1979.

"Everything is all right now," she said, adding that she still gets tested regularly.

She said she supports Relay For Life for cancer research.

"It's just a very important thing to do," she said. "We're looking for a cure."

Rose Mary Baumgardner's team, Bill's Angels, is in memory of her son who died of cancer in 2005, she said.

"We started the team in his memory," she said.

Baumgardner said it's important to support Relay For Life to help other people so they don't have to go through a death, and to find a cure for cancer.

Cathy Stout, of the Community Cancer Treatment Center at Lewistown Hospital, said her team has participated in the event ever since the relay first came to the area.

Stout said she participates to "support the fight for cancer and to honor those who have survived, and to honor those who have died."

She said she admires cancer survivors because of their will to fight and to never give up.

"Most of them have such positive attitudes," she said.

For Norma Stewart, another survivor, this is her first year participating in Relay For Life.

Stewart had advanced ovarian cancer, which she started treatment for in 2004. Her message to other survivors is to get unusual symptoms checked by a doctor.

"Have them run some tests," she said. "Something could show up."

She said she got through treatment by trusting God and by "being blessed with a wonderful family and friends."

Yvonne Miller is another cancer survivor, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2008.

The cancer was detected during a regular mammogram, she said.

Miller has participated in Relay For Life before, but this is her first year participating as a registered survivor, she said.

"It's more personal now," she said.

Miller's message for survivors is to "keep up hope."

Peggy Ritter, also a breast cancer survivor, said this also is her first time participating in the event as a registered survivor.

Ritter said she wants other survivors to know that "there are others out there you can turn to. You're not alone."

She said she's enjoying the event so far because there's a lot to do. She is looking forward to meeting people and getting to know other survivors, she said.

"It's a good cause. They work all year long," she said about the relay's committee.