Relay brings Valley together once again
July 17, 2009
By Laura Geggel
By Laura Geggel
North Bend cancer survivor Shirley Sims is quick to say she wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her daughter.
Sims joined more than 50 people around Centennial Fields for the survivor’s lap at the eighth annual Relay For Life of Snoqualmie Valley on July 11, where she proudly held her sign declaring her a 20-year survivor. Sitting in the shade after her lap around the field, Sims told her story.
“My daughter called me in Iowa and said, ‘Mom, have you ever had a mammogram?’
“I said ‘No, I don’t have the insurance.’ So she sent me the money.”
Using her daughter’s funds, Sims visited her physician.
“I got my mammogram and the bad news,” Sims said.
Now the mother and daughter live in Snoqualmie Valley and care for each other.
In a way, the entire Valley is caring for its cancer patients and their families. At the July 11-12 event, 355 participants from 32 teams raised $93,239. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Snoqualmie Valley relay participants have until the end of August to complete their fundraising. Visit www.snovalleyrelay.org to donate.
Relay For Life participants walked late into the night and into the dawn. Entertainers such as James and His Marionettes and singers Shaye Hodgins and Shannon McEldowney took to the stage to keep spirits enthusiastic. The luminaria, a pajama lap and pizza party at midnight helped fuel walkers around the field.
People participated in the relay for all sorts of reasons — some had family or friends who had battled cancer and lost the fight and others knew people who were beating the disease.
Katie Morgan, a 2006 Mount Si High School graduate, joined the relay for her second year to raise funds for cancer programs. Her group, PartyLite, doubled its goal of $5,000.
“It gives more hope,” Morgan said, as she prepared to walk another one-third-mile lap around Centennial Field.
North Bend resident Julie Witt held a two-year survivor sign. She had participated in Relay For Life before to honor a friend who had died of breast cancer, but in 2007 she got a shock when doctors diagnosed her with stage 3 breast cancer.
“My recommendation would be, if you have any indications of a problem from your mammogram, ask them to do another test,” Witt said. “Not another mammogram, but another test, like an ultrasound.”
Her friend and fellow breast-cancer survivor Cheryl Cotton learned she had cancer in both breasts. Instead of getting a lumpectomy and running the risk of reoccurrence, Cotton took the bigger step of getting a mastectomy.
Cancer treatment can be overwhelming, and Cotton advised friends of cancer patients to offer specific help.
“Don’t just ask to help. Say, ‘I can drive you to the doctor on Tuesday,’” Cotton said. “And don’t stop giving when it’s obvious they’re going to survive.”
For people in need of a ride, The American Cancer Society runs Road to Recovery program for people who need transportation to their doctor appointments. Call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org to volunteer or sign up for a ride.
Reach reporter Laura Geggel at 392-6434 .221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com. To comment on this story, visit www.snovalleystar.com.
North Bend cancer survivor Shirley Sims is quick to say she wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her daughter.
Sims joined more than 50 people around Centennial Fields for the survivor’s lap at the eighth annual Relay For Life of Snoqualmie Valley on July 11, where she proudly held her sign declaring her a 20-year survivor. Sitting in the shade after her lap around the field, Sims told her story.
From the left, Georgia Horvath, Ann Newton, George Bennett and Crosby Newton hold signs displaying the years they’ve survived cancer.
“My daughter called me in Iowa and said, ‘Mom, have you ever had a mammogram?’
“I said ‘No, I don’t have the insurance.’ So she sent me the money.”
Using her daughter’s funds, Sims visited her physician.
“I got my mammogram and the bad news,” Sims said.
Now the mother and daughter live in Snoqualmie Valley and care for each other.
In a way, the entire Valley is caring for its cancer patients and their families. At the July 11-12 event, 355 participants from 32 teams raised $93,239. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Snoqualmie Valley relay participants have until the end of August to complete their fundraising. Visit www.snovalleyrelay.org to donate.
Relay For Life participants walked late into the night and into the dawn. Entertainers such as James and His Marionettes and singers Shaye Hodgins and Shannon McEldowney took to the stage to keep spirits enthusiastic. The luminaria, a pajama lap and pizza party at midnight helped fuel walkers around the field.
People participated in the relay for all sorts of reasons — some had family or friends who had battled cancer and lost the fight and others knew people who were beating the disease.
Katie Morgan, a 2006 Mount Si High School graduate, joined the relay for her second year to raise funds for cancer programs. Her group, PartyLite, doubled its goal of $5,000.
“It gives more hope,” Morgan said, as she prepared to walk another one-third-mile lap around Centennial Field.
North Bend resident Julie Witt held a two-year survivor sign. She had participated in Relay For Life before to honor a friend who had died of breast cancer, but in 2007 she got a shock when doctors diagnosed her with stage 3 breast cancer.
“My recommendation would be, if you have any indications of a problem from your mammogram, ask them to do another test,” Witt said. “Not another mammogram, but another test, like an ultrasound.”
Her friend and fellow breast-cancer survivor Cheryl Cotton learned she had cancer in both breasts. Instead of getting a lumpectomy and running the risk of reoccurrence, Cotton took the bigger step of getting a mastectomy.
Cancer treatment can be overwhelming, and Cotton advised friends of cancer patients to offer specific help.
“Don’t just ask to help. Say, ‘I can drive you to the doctor on Tuesday,’” Cotton said. “And don’t stop giving when it’s obvious they’re going to survive.”
For people in need of a ride, The American Cancer Society runs Road to Recovery program for people who need transportation to their doctor appointments. Call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org to volunteer or sign up for a ride.
Reach reporter Laura Geggel at 392-6434 .221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.
Other Stories of Interest: Relay for Life
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Relay for Life events are very worthwhile and important. Congrats to all who participated and donated. For even more perspective, I invite you to check out this brief video — ahamoment.com/pg/moments/view/1848 — it’s one woman’s “aha moment” as she realized the impact of her participation in Relay for Life. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks,
jack@ahamoment.com