Lights! Cameras! Cure!

Glasgow and Barren County volunteers kicked off the 25th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life on Tuesday night at Trojan Academy with the theme “A Night at the Movies: Ticket to a Cure!”

This is the second year Michelle Heil, community representative from the Bowling Green office of ACS, has been involved with the local event. She oversees Relay For Life in Barren as well as Allen, Cumberland, Metcalfe and Monroe counties. Heil said she has been impressed by the overall movement, dedication and commitment of the people in the area.

“It’s a joy to be over here. I’m just delighted to be a part of this organization for one and to be fortunate to work with such great volunteers,” she said. “Whether it’s Burkesville, Ky., or Glasgow, ... if you’re in a room with Relayers, you’re empowered and you have hope.”

David Kinsman, one of the committee chairs, opened the ceremony by thanking Federal Mogul for coming up with this year’s winning theme. Sue Morgan with Federal Mogul said the team had submitted eight different ideas to the committee, but the movie theme is the one that was chosen. She said her team had already raised about $750 during two events in November and December.

Ladonna Rogers with T.J. Samson Community Hospital and a member of the Glasgow Board of Education shared with the group her family’s personal history of fighting cancer. Rogers’ mother, Pat Guinn, had breast and lung cancer. Her husband, John, a local attorney, survived testicular cancer. Her grandmother, Justine Riddle, died of ovarian cancer. She said her mother and husband were wonderful role models for her.

“For 25 years of my 45 years of life, I have been fighting against cancer,” Rogers told the crowd. “I fight the fear of cancer constantly ... but I know I must continue to fight every day.”

She reminded the crowd that early detection and testing is essential in combating the disease.

Anita Witt updated the group on the condition of her son, Ryan, who has been fighting Stage IV neuroblastoma. She showed a PowerPoint photo presentation documenting Ryan’s journey from his first day at Kosair Hospital in Louisville after diagnosis up to the present. He had a bone marrow transplant in 2007 and is being monitored regularly.

Ryan was chosen to ride with Santa in this year’s local Christmas parade and has recently received the Monticello Milestone Award. His mother said he is living “a new normal” and for her son’s “bravery is not accepting an illness.”

Ann Hyde, a breast cancer survivor, told listeners she had a mammogram and was given a clean bill of health six months before she found a lump in her left breast and was “diagnosed with the ‘C’ word.” She had a lumpectomy performed the last day of July 2008 and is involved in a drug trial as part of her treatment.

Amy Anderson, team development and growth chair, reminded volunteers that the local Relay For Life organization exceeded last year’s goal of $180,000 by more than $10,000. She recognized T.J. Samson Community Hospital and Barren County Schools as Multiple Teams of Excellence for having more than five teams each.

Fundraising teams for last year’s Relay were also recognized. Platinum teams, Houchens and Wal-Mart, each raised over $10,000. T.J. Samson Community Hospital - ER, South Central Bank, Barren County Healthcare, Federal Mogul and Barren County Middle School raised more than $5,000 each and were named Silver teams. Bronze teams, that collected in excess of $2,500, were Carhartt, Glasgow Middle School, Temple Hill Elementary School, AMAK-Akebono, Downing-McPeak, First United Methodist Church, T.J. Samson Community Hospital - OR, Siloam Baptist Church, South Green Elementary, Glasgow Health & Rehab, T.J. Samson Community Hospital - Patient Care Services, Glasgow Baptist Church, YMCA, SCRTC and Richey Pharma.

Another committee member, Resa Gardner, said there are more than 40 teams that have already registered this year.

Heil returned to the podium to give two awards to the local organization, the All-American Relay For Life Mid-South Division Award for growth, branding, leadership and diversity and the 2008 Relay All-Stars for achieving goals. Kinsman and Jesse Brown accepted the awards on behalf of the committee.