Relay For Life

WILLIAM JOSEPH ANDERSON
Image and background created by Terri Hall of
Terri's Treasures

The battle against Cancer is a never ending battle. I do not know of anyone, family or friend, who this beast has not touched in someway. But ole Papaw Joe and Nanny have found a way that we can help fight this beast and maybe with the help of our family members and our friends we can one day bring the beast to his end. It is called "The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life". Nanny and I are dedicating our walk to Mr. William Joseph Anderson, our grandson who died from Neuroblastoma in 1999 and also to a very special friend of mine, Kathalise Martin. This lady has written many poems for me, Mr. William and his Mommy. Without her help and her words of wisdom over the last couple of years I may not be here today. Sometimes people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime, Kathalise came into my life at just the right time. Just about a year ago she was told she had the beast called Cancer, did she just lay down and give up? Not this lady, she gave it her all with faith in God, humor, and to me the most important of all, she handled it with her wit. She never forgot her friends, she always sent out updates on her progress and I can tell you it is hell when someone you love is sick and no one bothers to bring you up to date. She wrote me a letter a few days ago that to me tells everyone what that lap around the track means to someone who has Cancer. She has given me permission to use it along with a couple of images of her, you will also see images of Mr. William. He is no longer here in life, but I can assure you he lives in my heart and when I make my lap he will be with me. There are also images of friends who work with my wife. Key City Furniture has been hit hard in the last few years with Cancer, but we are proud to say they all are still with us. Some are still battling this beast, some are cured. I ask all my online friends, if you would like to join us in this fight, email me at Sogg3@aol.com and I will get back to you. This battle must go on and someday it will be won. I want to one day tell Mr. William that this beast that took him away from his Mommy has been beaten.

I slipped on the soft yellow shirt with the purple writing,
not knowing how emotional it would make me feel.
The "Relay For Life Survivor Shirt" Survivor. Survivor.
I felt my eyes well and I fought to control my feelings.
I had seen my husband Jason put these on 5
different years and it always brought a flood of emotion.
But to look in the mirror and suddenly see myself in
this garment was overwhelming.
I was a survivor.
I had for a short space in time beat this beast.
I had hung in there and fought and he was history for now.
I know enough to know he can be back at any given moment,
he's not dead; just resting.
But I'm not dead either and my strength and my Grace
come from a much higher source than the beast.
I step out into the Relay's area and there are so many yellow shirts; Praise God.
I see people I have met along my journey who know
the hills and mountains that I have climbed.
They were right beside me climbing too.
A hand to reach out and hold when time got hard.
A hug to lighten your load and make you know you are not alone in this battle.
I see people with the same cancer as I have, we compare notes;
we hug and wish each other well.
The staff had graciously provided seats for us and
as we all found a chair we smile at each other.
We may not know each other personally, but we fight the
same beast so we are all on one team.
The sun is warm upon my face, the air is fresh and cool.
It feels good to be alive.
To my right sits my husband of almost 21 years;
he, a 6 year survivor from the beast.
He holds my hand and squeezes it.
We smile at each other and know that this year I won't be on the sideline
cheering him on; but walking beside him as we make the first lap
and know God has granted us more time.
I look around at the faces, the old, the young, black, white,
Hispanic, white collar, blue collar, rich, poor, middle class.
The beast is not a respect of individuals.
He treats everyone the same.
Here we are all one family; and his job is to destroy us.
Our job not to let him.
As I look at the number of faces smiling in the afternoon sun
yellow shirts shinning I think....
There are more of us than there is of you.
Together we can beat you old boy.
I hear survivors names called out with 32 years, 12 years, 5 years.
Then there are 9 months, and my 3 months.
If we can keep him at bay for even a day we have won that day.
With people like the ones who sponsor and put on this event we can beat him.
Every minute of every day that a cancer patient stays alive
we've pushed him away from winning.
I shed a tear or two for those who are with us in spirit only.
My beloved brother Larry, lung cancer dead at 50.
My husband's father, pancreatic cancer dead at 56.
His beloved gramps, liver cancer 89.
Friends of mine whose loved ones weren't there today except in Spirit.
I know how it is to be the caregiver, the patient and the left behind family member.
I know more about cancer than I ever wanted to know.
But, I know this. God has granted me another space in time
to see my husbands smiling face, to hear my son's laughter and
to gather my grandchildren in my arms smothering them with kisses.
So today I took a wonderful walk in the park, with my spouse
and a few hundred close friends.
The beast was not invited.

Nora Royal

Ruth Caudill

What is Relay?

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's signature activity. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.

Because Relay For Life is a community gathering rather than an athletic event, anyone and everyone can participate. Teams form from business, clubs, families, friends, hospitals, churches, schools and service organizations. Team members share a common purpose - to support the American Cancer Society's mission.

Relay For Life also raises funds. Teams solicit donations, have garage sales, hold car washes, and more. If you need more help or have any other questions about Relay For Life, contact your local ACS office or call 1-800-ACS-2345.

Why Relay?

The power of Relay is that it allows a community to grieve for those lost to cancer and to celebrate the lives of those who have survived. For the newly diagnosed, Relay offers a chance to meet someone who has survived the same type of cancer. For the cancer patient in treatment, Relay provides an opportunity to share with others. For the long-term survivor, Relay brings a community's recognition of the struggle and closure to a trying time in life.

Caregivers also find hope in Relay For Life. These individuals give their time, love and support to friends, family and neighbors who face cancer. At Relay, everyone understands the challenges and joys of being a caregiver. There is peace of mind knowing that together we can face the challenges ahead.

Albert Adams

Jack Hunter
(Image created for us by Terri Hall)

Darlene Smith

Denise Adams

Click on the banner to visit Terri Hall and learn about
how she has beaten cancer four times with her strong belief
and faith in God - the number one tool you need in a battle with
this beast.
(You can use your "BACK" browser button to
return to "Some Call It Heaven")

Faith, Hope, Love
You need all of the above.
If you want to live, then you have got to be positive.
There is a rumor I have a tumor.
I used to be a dancer, then I got cancer.
I used to have hair all down my back,
But now it's shorter than Kojak.
But that's all right,
'Cuz I'm gonna win the fight.

Cancer is so limited -
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendships
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer the spirit

Denise Adams, Patricia "Nanny" Anderson Co-Captains of 2002 Relay For Life and the Captain B.J. Johnson; Jack Hunter co-worker from another plant
		Denise Adams, Nanny and B.J.
Quilt made by B.J. and Nanny and other co-workers (Ole Papaw Joe did the images on the quilt)
		Aunt Missy's friend Diane

Luminarias
		Close up of Mr. William's Luminaria, this one is by Papaw Joe, there were about eight more behind this one