Corbin Relay for Life unites survivors and those fighting cancer

Ellen Powers and Margaret Thomas attended the Corbin Relay for Life last week. The two became friends during radiation treatments at a local clinic.

Margaret Thomas and Ellen Powers are friends who have one big thing in common.

They both are affected by cancer.

The two stood shoulder-to-shoulder last Friday at Corbin’s Relay for Life, smiling and positive, determined not to let radiation and chemotherapy dampen their spirits.

"I’m fighting. I’m not giving up," said Powers, who had surgery for breast cancer in 2002 and went into remission. The disease resurfaced in 2009 in her breastbone, lungs and hip.

"I just go on like I always do. You have to keep your mind off it," she said. "It’s good to have friends you can rely on."

Thomas and Powers met during radiation treatments at a Corbin clinic. The two hit it off right away.

At an event, generally held to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer or to remember loved ones claimed by the disease, the two were on hand Friday to show support for their friends, and prove the disease doesn’t have to slow you down.

"For me, it started back in August," Thomas, of Woodbine, said. She started taking radiation and chemotherapy treatments and is now on chemotherapy pills.

"I just got sick through the treatments, but now with the pills it’s not so bad. It seems like it is giving me energy."

"I wouldn’t have missed this for the world anyway," she added. "These are my friends. I came here to support them and to get support myself."

Similar relays are held in communities all over the globe as a way to fight back against cancer and support cancer research. Teams typically sign up to participate and get sponsors to donate money to them for walking during the event. This year, Corbin’s Relay for Life was held at Corbin Primary School. Teams walked throughout the night. The event ran from 7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

Participants enjoyed live music, vendor booths, fireworks and other entertainment during the event. And, there was the tradition luminary ceremony after dark to remember those who died in their fight against cancer.

Julie Waters, American Cancer Society Relay for Life Community Representative for Corbin, said 11 teams took part in this year’s Relay and have raised about $20,000 so far. The goal was $60,000, but organizers have noted that fundraising is proving difficult in such a sour economy.

"I think when everything comes in, we will be above $30,000, but it is tough this year," Waters noted. "You take sponsors like Baptist Regional Medical Center who have given $10,000 a year in the past. This year, they just gave $2,000. It’s hard to ask them to do more when they are having to lay people off. It’s a sign of the times."

Every year, about 3.5 million people in the United State participate in Relay for Life events. The money is given to the American Cancer Society to help fund research to find cures for the disease.

Waters said anyone interested in forming a team for next year’s Relay for Life, or who wants to be part of the planning committee, should call her at 606-310-1643.

"We are always looking for more people to help out," she said.