Hundreds of luminarias lined the quad in front of the library Saturday evening as volunteers, team members and survivors walked and reflected on their battles with cancer as part of the University’s second annual Relay for Life. Despite the solemn mood of the ceremony, one survivor was undaunted by the hundreds of flickering lights as she and her friends took turns pulling and riding in a small, green wagon.
Beatrice Walton is only 4 1/2 years old, but she is living proof that money raised at relays can save lives and fight cancer.
Dean Walton, a University science librarian, said the day his daughter was diagnosed with stage-four cancer is still fresh in his mind.
“Day one was by far the most traumatic,” he said. “I remember she was diagnosed; I went to the store, got a bag of dog food, put my house key under the door and started calling neighbors I had never met before to watch over the house while we were gone.”
It took more than three months of traveling back and forth from Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland to Eugene, four rounds of chemotherapy, and several surgeries to remove a tumor in Beatrice’s lower abdomen that inhibited her ability to walk.
“We were so lucky that they had done research on her type of cancer. That is why we relay. It was cancer research that was funded by events like this one that are responsible for our daughter still being with us today,” Walton said. ” Had it been a decade earlier, she would have been dead.”
Through donations, entry fees, bake sales and other fundraisers on Saturday, the University raised $20,550, all of which will go to the American Cancer Society. The theme of the relay was celebrate, fight back and remember. While some celebrated alongside survivors, others celebrated the lives of lost loved ones with new friends.
University freshman Mary Beth Myers was smothered in hugs from friends and strangers after she spoke proudly about losing her mother just 1 1/2 years ago.
Myers’ mother was diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer four weeks before she was supposed to attend the University in fall 2007. Instead of going to college straight away, Myers deferred her full academic scholarship and spent quality time going with her mom.
“I wouldn’t have traded that time for anything in the world. My mom was a single mom, and that made our bond unique in itself,” Myers said. “But I was lucky to really get to know my mother. There are not that many people who get that experience. I got to celebrate her, while she was still alive.”
Myers explained that since her mother passed away, she began writing letters to each member of her family letting them know how appreciated they are.
“My mom’s death was a reminder of all the memories I had,” she said. “I wanted others in my family to know what I loved about them and what memories I shared with them while they were still healthy.”
It is stories like Myers’ that inspire many to stay closely connected to finding a cure.
By the numbers
– | ? $2,007: raised by Alpha Epsilon Pi and Sigma Mu ? $1,281: raised by Pi Beta Phi ? $3,000: used to fund the first University relay ? $13,000: raised in the University’s first relay ? $12,900: used to fund this year’s University relay ? $20,550: raised in this year’s relay |
Nichole Ornelas, the American Cancer Society supervisor for the University’s relay, said she participates not only because it’s her job, but because she has seen how the disease can affect people’s lives.
“I see people walk through the doors at work and say, ‘My mother, my brother, my sister, my husband, my friend has cancer and someone said you can help,’” she said. “Being here at relay reminds you of the stories that are out there, and it bonds you to strangers who share a common goal.”
An open mic session at the event united those affected by the disease, and revealed that people of all ages can be impacted by cancer and its ramifications.
Devon Scarfe, a University junior, recalled his experience of growing up with a neighbor who had leukemia, which inspired him to become involved in the relay.
“All I knew was that I went to his house and played Dr. Mario. I was fortunate enough to not know what was going on and was able to act like he was just a normal kid,” he said.
Former University student John Robinson used the open mic session to speak about his fight against colon cancer.
“There are 10 million cancer survivors, and I am lucky to be one of them,” he said. “I was 21 years old when I was diagnosed. I never imagined I could have cancer at 21. You are supposed to be invincible at that age.”
A 32-person committee was responsible for organizing the 12-hour event, which included more than 250 participants.
“We have made tremendous growth this year,” committee leader KaLynn Alley said. “We set a goal of $15,000, and we surpassed it by over $5,000.”
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