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Relay for a common goal -- a cure
by Lindsay Varner, Wake Weekly Staff Writer
Cancer.
It's a scary word with scary statistics to back it up. One in three Americans is diagnosed with cancer. Over one million people are diagnosed each year. With so many touched by cancer, it's no surprise to find individuals devoted to fighting cancer with all their hearts. This year North Raleigh teams up with Wake Forest in its third annual Relay For Life of Wake County June 4-June 5, beginning at 3 p.m. on the Wakefield High School track. The relay is 24 hours of family entertainment and activities designed to celebrate cancer survivors, to remember those who have lost their lives to the disease and to raise money for cancer research through the American Cancer Society. Registered team members take turns walking or running laps on the track during the 2-day event, symbolizing the never-ending battle against cancer. Relay organizers encourage families to join the festivities and purchase luminaries in honor of loved ones afflicted with cancer. Here are the stories of just a few area residents who are devoted cancer fighters: A survivor's story: Although this is only Tracey Lackey's first year with Relay For Life, she isn't simply getting her feet wet. At 29, Tracey, who lives just outside Wakefield, is the youngest of three co-chairs of the North Raleigh-Wake Forest Relay For Life. The event is more than just a fundraiser for Tracey, it's a celebration of her survival. Tracey was diagnosed with a form of cancer, Hodgkin's disease, in February of 2003, less than four months after marrying Mark Lackey. "People were so good to me while I was going through my treatments. Everyone was so supportive," Tracey said. After her treatment she decided she wanted to give back to those who had helped her. She decided to contact the American Cancer Society, where she learned about the relay. "I decided I kind of have a personal cause," Tracey said. Although her cancer came as a shock to her and her friends and family, Tracey realizes she is far from alone. "It's hard nowadays to find someone whose life hasn't been touched by cancer," she said. She and her husband formed a team for Relay, and Tracey also took on the position of co-chair of the event. When friends and family found out about the couple's involvement, the donations and support began pouring in. "I've been really surprised by the generosity of just the people I know," Tracey said. Several of her friends have sent her $100 donations. "There's not much people can do for you when you have cancer. It's empowering when people can finally do something for you; they can donate," she said. A caregiver's story: "I still haven't taken a breath," Loretta Towsley said of her life since the day she found out her mother, Louise Humphrey, was diagnosed with cancer. Her mother has been in remission for nearly six years. "My mom is a miracle mom," Loretta said, thankful the treatments prolonged her mother's life. "I've had her for several years now and I hope to have her for many more." Loretta runs a hair salon out of her Wake Forest home, and she shared her personal pain with her clients from the very beginning. She told them her story and invited them to share theirs. "Some people would cry because they've lost loved ones," she said. "I would find out this was one of those subjects you have to be careful with. It's touched people's lives in a painful way." Loretta gave butterfly hairclips -- in honor of her mother's love of butterflies -- to all of her clients, asking them to remember her mother and pray for her. Now Loretta shares her passion for Relay For Life with her clients. She displays posters for the event in her salon and hands out blinking Relay For Life pins. She's also on the entertainment committee this year. She has enlisted the help of several DJs, a magician, a clown and others willing to donate their skills for demonstrations, such as line dancing and yoga. Loretta is even a team member. She joined the team of one of her clients, Danielle Irving. A husband and wife team: Only a month after his wedding and at the age of 29, Chris Irving of Wake Forest was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Chris, a cyclist, took comfort in knowing famed cyclist Lance Armstrong had the same form of the disease. With all the small comforts, however, came great strife. "It was unbelievably tough," his wife Danielle Irving said. "It brought us much closer because we had to deal with a trauma so early in our marriage." While Chris was undergoing treatment, the Irvings learned about Relay For Life from Rex Hospital. "It hit so close to home with us," Danielle said. "We wanted to give back what we could." Danielle and Chris have a Relay team and both are involved in committees. Danielle is part of the entertainment committe and Chris is part of the finance committee. The couple said they are proud to champion the American Cancer Society cause and they really enjoy the Relay. "It's a really fun event. We get a lot of kids from our youth group involved," Danielle said. "It's a fun family event for everybody and it's a celebration of life." A Relay veteran: At Brian Pate's first Relay For Life in Tallahassee, Fla., in 1992, he was amazed at the support the event generated. "It was almost like going to a NASCAR race there were so many tents on the infield of the track," Brian, now a Wake Forest resident, said. He not only saw how cancer touched so many lives, he could feel their pain. Brian became involved with Relay after his father, Mike Pate, was diagnosed with throat cancer. "It was the first time I realized my father was not Superman," Brian said. "It terrified me." Brian's family had to force him to visit his father while he was undergoing treatment. He wanted to remember him the way he was before the chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Fortunately, his father survived and has been cancer-free for more than six years, but Brian continues to donate his services as a disc jockey and his time to raise money for Relay. "There's a bond that's created, a certain rapport, when you find out a person has cancer," Brian said. "You want to help in any way you can. It's a little bit of a relief to know that Relay For Life is there." This year Brian couldn't commit to participating in Relay For Life because he was expecting to celebrate the beginning of another life this weekend. He and his wife, Eileen, welcomed Cassidy Michelle Pate into the world on May 24. Instead, Brian has donated the use of his equipment and enlisted the help of other DJs. "It's really great to see people who work for me come through for me on a personal level," he said. Editor's note: Donations for Relay For Life can be made at the event or by contacting Julie Pascoe at (919) 834-8463 or julie.pascoe@cancer.org. Luminaries can be purchased before or during the event for $10 each.
Last Updated On: June 3, 2004
Copyright 2004 The Wake Weekly