About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2019)
Page 8, March 11,2019, The Islander 25th Glynn County Relay for Life co-chaired by 25 year survivor by Pamela Permar-Shierling Some people are just special, and Margaret ‘Peggy’ Tuten simply de fines what a special person is. This year, for the first time, Peg gy, along with Joni Bennett, is co chair of the 25th Relay for Life of Glynn County. Peggy has served on the Relay committee for at least 20 years and in past years has chaired the Survi vor Committee. Oh - and she is a 25 year cancer survivor. She has never forgotten the day she received the diagnosis. The disease was caught at a mam mogram in what showed up as a very small change from previous mammograms. She had the biopsy and, “When I came to,” she said, “I had four nurse friends standing around me, and all I heard were the words ‘invasive, fast, and rapid growing.’” Peggy is a certified diabetes edu cator and, at the time, was the Dia betes Nurse Specialist at Southeast Georgia Regional Medical Center now Southeast Georgia Health Sys tem. She was also making plans to return to school to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Instead she had surgery. But she went back to work two weeks later: “I had a diabetes semi nar to hold,” she said. “And while I did not require che motherapy,” she continued, “I had the same fears.” “The key is catching it early and not giving up,” she said. In 1994 the Relay team “Peg’s Legs” was born. The team consisted of a group from her First United Methodist Church Sunday School Class called the Duncan Class. “They came out to help me,” she said. This was during the time that Re lay for Life lasted 24 hours and was held behind College Place Method ist Church. She explained her dedication to Relay for Life. “The Relay was the boost I needed. It gave me the de sire to continue. It was amazing to be out there on the track and to be cheered on by friends and the community.” Peggy’s current Relay team is the Survive and Thrive Team. Songs across America The Jekyll Island Arts Association presents “Songs Across America,” a medley of folk and patriotic songs. The annual Spring Concert will be performed by the Jekyll Singers at 7 p.m. on March 19 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. The concert is free and open to the public, but dona tions to defray costs are encouraged. Artists Exhibit Artist Exhibit A;pril 1 to April 30. Goodyear Cottage. Suzy and Steve Dmetruk painter and woodworker. Sponsored by the Jekyll Island Arts Association. Reception April 7 1 p.m. Peggy retired in 2013 from the hospital but continues her volun teer work at the hospital. She vol unteers at CMAP where she teaches diabetes courses; she works at the Hospital gift shop and at the Ribbon of Hope as well. Peggy was raised in Richland, Washington, and attended the University of Washington, Seattle, School of Nursing where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She served nine months in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam War on the USS Repose (a hospital ship). It was in Portsmouth, Va., that she met her husband Cal Tuten who was doing an internship and then who also brought her to Glynn County. The letters after her name are impressive: RN, BSN, MSNED, CDE and FNP. Peggy earned her master’s degree at the Medical Col lege of Georgia and her Nurse Prac titioner degree from Georgia South ern University. She opened up the first Student Health Center at the College; she served as Director of Nurses at Sears Manor; she was a supervi sor from 3 to 11 at the hospital; and worked as a wound care specialist at the Medical Arts Center. In 1990 she became a diabetes educator. She also opened up the VNA (Visit ing Nurses Association) of Greater Glynn County. Her feelings about Relay for Life are deep. She is committed to her own life and to helping others as ev idenced through her actions during the past 25 years and throughout her life as well. Peggy’s determination shows up in her actions: she was diagnosed in February 1994; had surgery in March 1994; participated in her first Relay in May 1994. “I feel that not everyone wants to go to the Gala (referring to the ACS Ball held every year) because isn’t affordable to most,” she said. “Relay is free to attend, and it is a family and community affair,” she said. “It’s a carnival atmosphere. There are raffles and food. Some Relay Teams sell hot dogs and ham burgers. Southern Soul will be there with barbeque.” This year Relay will be held April 26 at the Golden Isles Church of God, 200 Boswell Lane, right off the Spur inside 1-95, and will start at 6 p.m. and last until 11:30 p.m. The Luminaries in honor of sur vivors or loved ones lost will be lit at 9 p.m. and are on sale for $10 and $25 and rose bushes for $50. At this time the Survivors’ Team will take its lap. A new wall goes up every year as well where people can leave messages. The Survivor’s Dinner is sched uled for Tuesday, March 12, 6 p.m. at Golden Isles Church of God and catered by Toucans Ale House. Info: https://www.facebook.com/ Relay ForLifeofGlynnCounty/ We aren’t all as dedicated and as active as Peggy but we can each do our part. After all, she’s really just doing her part. Save Village from 0 The Land Trust andDNR Find us on FB at Save German Village Not all hearing loss requires a hearing aid. If you thinkyou are experiencing hearing loss, see Southeast Georgia's only licensed Doctors of Audiology. we went to a hearing doctor. Trust the Doctors at Advanced Hearing & Balance Center for: Functional Communication Assessments Vestibular Testing Hearing Aid Fittings Make an Appointment: -Trial Options Available ^ (912)267-1569 M Physician-Referred ADVANCED HEARING & BALANCE CENTER Southeast Georgia Health System, Brunswick Campus 3025 Shrine Rd, Suite 490, Brunswick, GA 31520 The first ‘Pegs Legs’ Team in the 1994 Relay for Life. Front row from left: Jody Finleyson, Martha King, Kathy Walker, June Reding, and Peggy Tuten. Beck row from left: John Finleyson, Ronnie King, Cal Tuten, John Keany, Cindy Finleyson, and Bob Finleyson. Provided photo
