Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 7B
t Reporter
April 2, 2008
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American Cancer Society
Relay For Life
6 p.m. Saturday, May 2 until noon, Sunday May 3
Mary Persons High School track • Chairperson Janice Rogers 478-994-1359
Y
RELAY
FOR LIFE
Wonts of wisdom from...
breast cancer survivors
Part one in a series leading up to the
annual American Cancer Society’s Relay
for Life event May 2 and 3. Each week
“Words of wisdom” will feature advice and
hope from those who have faced cancer
head on and come out on the other side.
number of deaths from breast
I I fancer is on the decline and the
I number of survivors is on the in-
I crease. This is due in no small
measure to early detection and
the improved treatments that research has
provided. In Monroe County there is a spe
cial bond among those who have survived
this dreaded disease. In this group you will
find a deep sense of caring for other women
and strong feelings about the importance of
early detection.
Here are a few expressions of love, con
cern and encouragement from members
of this unique sisterhood from the bottom
of their hearts.
Nelleeta Davis, Survivor -1 year
Would you ever, on purpose, physically
or mentally hurt your family? Then why
hurt them emotionally?
Emotional hurt is what they
will experience if you are not
around for them due to a
cancer diagnosis which is too
late and it has spread.
Treatment is available and
most often successful for
early detected breast cancer.
The best gift you can give
someone you love is yourself.
Don’t let your gift expire ear
lier than it should due to
undetectd breast cancer.
Melinda Lord,
Survivor - 2 years.
After self examination and
a follow up mammogram I
heard the dreaded words,
“I’m sorry but you have
breast cancer.” That was in
2005 and here we are three
years later. Because of that
self examination and a mammogram I
can say “we.” I can not emphasize enough
the importance of early detection. Please
do your monthly self exams and have an
annual mammogram.
Wanda Buff, Survivor - 3 years
While it is important to do our own self
exams and mammograms it is important
to encourage others to do the same. I am
a survivor because a friend reminded me
very strongly of the importance of early
detection.
Gwen Lunsford, Survivor - 3 years
Mammogram or self exam? I can’t say
that one is more important than the
other. My mother discovered her breast
cancer by self exam. Mine was discovered
at a very early stage by mammography. I
prayed many nights thanking the individ
ual who discovered the mammogram
machine.
Loretta KimbeU, Survivor - 3 years
The chances of you personally getting
breast cancer or knowing someone (loved
one, friend, or neighbor) stricken with this
life-threatening disease are significantly
high. For me, the diagnosis of breast can
cer has become, as it were a giant, well-lit
magnifying glass, enlarging and bringing
sharply into focus who and what are
important in my life. I urge every woman
not only to practice self-examination but,
also, have a yearly mammogram. My
tumor could not be felt by me or my gyne
cologist or my surgeon.. If it were not for
the mammogram, my recovery would not
have been possible.
Wanda Buff and her husband Jim walk around the track during the sur
vivors’ lap with son Tracy and his wife Denise at last year’s Relay for
Life. Jim and Wanda are both cancer survivors.
Karen McClellan - Survivor 4 years
Times spent with those whom we love
are often the most cherished of times. I
once asked my father, who was resisting
some medical tests, if it mattered to him if
his grandchildren would know him long
enough to make memories together. I
don’t remember my maternal grandmoth
er who had an early death but I am told
she loved me immensely. Do self exams
and get yearly checkups so you, your fam
ily and friends can make wonderful mem
ories.
Latralle Cunningham,
Survivor - 5 years
It was very hard to look my husband
and children in the eyes and say “I have
breast cancer.” And when asked if I was
going to be okay, it was even harder to say
“I really don’t know.” Please get your
yearly check-ups and mammograms. And
if you ever have to look your loved ones in
the eyes with the same news, you can
answer with .. ..”Yes, I’m going to be
okay!” Early detection saves lives.
Jerri James, Survivor -11 years
Being a cancer survivor for more than
10 years I’ve learned not to sweat the
small stuff. On May 13,1996, in an
instant, I saw the “big picture.” Nothing
mattered more than the people I hold
dearest to my heart. Eveiy day the good,
the bad and the ugly with my children
since my diagnosis has been cherished. I
thank God that I’m here for them.
Brenda Head,
Survivor -13 years
Consistent self exams help you become
more aware of any changes that may
occur in your breast. If you
detect or even think you feel a
lump, you should see your doc
tor. If there is a history of
breast cancer in your family
you should do monthly self
exams and a mammogram
yearly. Early detection can save
your life.
Sarah Hogan,
Survivor -17 years
I am here today by the grace
of God and because my cancer
was detected early through my
yearly checkup. Cancer is not a
death sentence; it is a treatable
disease especially if it is caught
in its early stages. Do not be
afraid to get yearly checkups
and listen to your doctor.
Dot Driskell, Survivor - 27
years
In May of 1980, through a self
exam I found a lump about the size of a
pea. Small as that was it turned out to be
cancer. I saw the doctor, had a mammo
gram and then a radical mastectomy.
This was followed by six weeks of radia
tion. I feel that the combination of these
saved my life. I still do self exam, see my
doctor every six months and get a mam
mogram and chest x-ray once a year.
Ladies, please love yourself enough to do
this. It is important not only for you but
also for your family.
Relay for Life fundraising events
Purple bows
Forsyth United
Methodist Church is sell
ing purple mailbox bows
for $5 each. Call 478-994-
5706 for more details.
April 4
Heritage Healthcare
to hold yard sale
Heritage Healthcare (for
merly Hilltop Nursing
Home) will hold a yard
sale Friday, April 4 from 8
a.m. until at Wal Mart in
Forsyth.
April 5
4 family yard sale
“Ninnie’s Angels” are
having a yard sale to bene
fit Relay for Life on
Saturday, April 5 at 427
Newton Rd., Juliette (off
Juliette Rd. & Hwy 87)
Clothes, furniture, toys,
baby items. Something for
everyone!
April 12
Sporting clays shoot
Mt. Zion United
Methodist Church is spon
soring a sporting clays
shoot beginning at 9 a.m.
at the Meadows Gun Club.
Sponsorships available.
There will also be a silent
auction. For more informa
tion call Red Ezelle at 478-
256-1244 or Kathy
Rowland at 478-808-9353.
Rocky Creek crappie
fishing tournament
Rocky Creek Baptist
Church is holding a crap
pie fishing tournament for
Relay for Life Saturday,
April 12 from 7 a.m. to 12
p. at High Falls Lake. Two
person teams, $10 per per
son. Prizes for biggest and
biggest 10 by weight.
Call David Niblett at
478-994-2060 to register.
Cancer Crusaders
dog show
The Cancer Crusaders
and Georgia APBT
Association want to put
cancer in the doghouse in
memory of Warren Martin.
On April 12 they will be
holding an American pit
bull terrier dog show at the
Forsyth city park on
Country Club Dr.
Registration starts at 10
a.m. Each class costs $10.
They will have regular con
firmation classes as well as
fun events. The show
starts at 12 noon with a
raffle, food for sale and
Relay for Life merchandise
and cancer awareness jew
elry. All non-food vendors
are welcome. For more
information call 478-757-
8044 or 478-955-2704 or
email
wamartin0125@aol.com.
Relay Yard Sale
Saturday, April 12 from 8
a.m. to 1 p.m. at 59 Keith
Dr., Forsyth.
April 19
Ebenezer UMC
BBQ and singing
The Ebenezer Relay for
Life team will sponsor its
annual barbecue and
singing April 19. Please see
any member of Ebenezer,
and you will be directed to
a team member to pur
chase tickets.
Rocky Creek Baptist
Ride for the Fight
Rocky Creek Baptist
Church is sponsoring a
“Ride for the Fight” motor
cycle ride April 19. $15
donation per bike. This is a
60 mile ride. There will be
50/50 and door prizes. $15
donation per bike.
Registration begins at 9
a.m. Bikes leave at 10 a.m.
April 26
Hospital to host
fashion show
Monroe County Hospital
Relay For Life team is
hosting an evening of fun,
fashion and food at the
Royal Palm Restaurant at
7:30 p.m. on Saturday,
April 26. All models will be
hospital employees, there
will be great food, and a
few surprises.
April 27
Forsyth UMC to host
benefit concert
Forsyth United
Methodist Church will host
a benefit concert April 27
at 7 p.m. on the church
lawn.
May 5
Golf Tournament
The 2008 golf tourna
ment will be held May 5 at
River Forest. $200 per
team. Hole sponsorship
$100 each. Call Tony
Ussery at 478-994-3347 or
478-994-1000.
To advertise your team’s
Relay for Life fundraising
event, email information to
ginaherring@bellsouth.net.
Monroe County
Survivor Dinner
The annual survivor dinner will be held at 6 p.m. at
Forsyth United Methodist Church. RSVP required. If
you or anyone that you know has ever been diagnosed
with cancer we would love for you to attend. Call
Terri Duncan at 478-973-1294 for more information or
to RSVP.
Luminaria
A special way to honor those battling cancer
and to remember those we lost
After the sun goes down Friday night during the
Relay for Life event, hundreds of candles will be lit
around the track. Each one is a symbol of a loved-one
who is battling cancer or someone who has lost their
battle to cancer. Each of the luminarias display the
name of those being honored and remembered. The
cost is only $5 each. All proceeds go toward cancer
research. For more information or to purchase a lumi
naria, please contact Aretha Neal at 478-994-0832.
Monroe County Hospital Offers
Mammography Services
May 7, 14,21,28
May is Women's Health Month. Mammograms will be
available for a reduced price of $65.
Call for appointment 478-994-2521
A doctor's order is required. Please go to out-patient
registration.
HEATLNGI AIR, INC.
Over 20 Years
Experience
Residential
& Commercial
• HEATING • AIR CONDITIONING
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• ALL METAL DUCT SYSTEMS
• HEAT PUMPS • ROOF UNITS
Don Etheridge, Owner
478-994-0647
405 College Street
Forsyth
Noodles for Poodles
Silent Auction
Sponsored by Grits Cafe
April 2nd starts 5:30 Courthouse lawn
Many wonderful items from, Gucci, Tiffany, Chanel, Ferragamo,
Metropolitan Museum of Arts, local
artists, local businesses... Something for everyone.
Channing Johnson will be demonstrating
Dog Agility Techniques
Great time to get early Christmas
presents or other gifts.
Scorves-leother gifts-leather bags-handbags-evening bags-oil
paintings, jewelry, watches, perfume, lamp, home furnishings...
Gift certificates for dining, pet core, pet boarding, family
photo, gym, therapeutic massage, oil change, errands,
pest control.... For copies of auction items call 994 5223.
All proceeds go to Save A Pet, Inc.
www.mymcr.net