Published: January 14, 2009 09:36 pm            

Milestone

2009 Relay for Life marks 25 years in Cullman

By Tiffany Green

STAFF WRITER

Jodi Miller shouldn’t be alive.

“I was told I have a cancer for which there is no cure,” Miller said.

“The doctor told me I would be fortunate to live three years and never see five years.”

Eleven years later, Miller is happy to inspire others.

“I made a decision and said I’m going to fight this thing.”

Miller, of Calera, and twelve-year-old cancer survivor Lindsey Jones, of Gurley, were the special guests at the 2009 Relay for Life kick off event Tuesday night. The two are American Cancer Society Heroes of Hope. A Hero of Hope is a survivor who has shown a commitment to fight cancer and represent Relay for Life publicly for at least one year.

This year marks a milestone for the annual event.

“We are celebrating 25 years of hope,” said Alison Barksdale, Cullman County Relay for Life chair.

Miller said through the efforts of Relay for Life, fewer people have died from cancer in the last three years.

“Cancer has been a blessing for me. It has taught me what’s important in life,” Miller said.

Lindsey was diagnosed with rhabdomyosar, a rare form of cancer found behind the sinuses, at the age of four.

A day after she was admitted to the hospital, Lindsey woke up and discovered she was blind.

“There were two things that helped me get through it,” Lindsey said. “Having a positive attitude and the Lord. Without the Lord and prayers people gave me, I wouldn’t be here today.”

“We believe she will see again,” Keith, her father said.

Lindsey speaks at many American Cancer Society events.

“I always say ‘Isn’t it a wonderful day’,” she said.

Barksdale said the goal for this year is $350,000. Officials are hoping for at least 82 teams and $40,000 in sponsorships.

“That’s $25,000 more than last year. We have a lot of new teams this year and the people here in Cullman are so supportive.”

Barksdale said Cullman County is a giving community.

“We are a service project oriented community,” she said. “It’s about helping people.”

There is still time to join a team or form a new one Barksdale said.

“We have a lot of existing teams if you want to join up with one,” she said.

She believes this will be the best Relay for Life the county has seen.

“I’m excited about this year,” she said. “I think it will be one of the best ones.”

Gidgett Overton, local ACS representative, believes one day there will be a cure,

“We are making great strides in beating this,” Overton said. “We are going to work really hard this year on the smoke-free Alabama law.”

She is excited about all the new teams that will be participating this year.

“We are all touched by cancer,” she said. “Cullman is a wonderful place and if we continue to do what we are doing the goal is attainable.”

Overton said more than 4 million dollars worth of funding is done at UAB.

“When you see how many lives are touched by the money raised, you realize what you are doing,” she said. “Treatment options are so much better.”

Faith Ellen Barksdale, whose mom is a breast cancer survivor, is a member of the youngest teams.

“We have hope,” she said. “My mom is my hero.”

Faith, along with other children ages 9 to 15 say they formed a team to make a difference.

“Hope is a wonderful thing,” team member Keillian Carpentar said. “It can be found in each of us.”

For more information on Relay for Life or to join a team, contact Helen Allen at 734-3041, Gidgett Overton at 736-1506 or Alison Barksdale at 347-1899.



‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 221.

        

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