Cancer survivors and supporters rally to raise funds for the cause

Macon County’s Relay for Life event on Friday, June 5, was a huge success with hundreds of survivors and supporters walking through the night to fund a cure for cancer. Above, seven-year-old torch bearer Daniel Tomberlin and family lead the survivors lap.

Hundreds gathered at the Franklin High School track on Friday evening to celebrate life and the fight against cancer for the American Cancer Society’s 25th Anniversary Relay for Life.

Macon County event co-chair Patti Morgan said this year’s event was one of the biggest she has seen. “It was a really great turnout. A lot of people stayed through the night this year; it was a really good year.”

At the opening ceremony, Morgan said, “We’re here to celebrate the lives of our survivors.” Co-chair Melanie Allen said that every step will bring walkers closer to the goal of a world without cancer.

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The night’s speaker, Brenda Angel, is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed 25 years ago. The word cancer, she said, changed her whole life. Although she sometimes felt alone in her diagnosis, Angel said that time sharpened her sight and she became grateful for divine direction.

Daniel Tomberlin and family were recognized as the 2009 Relay Honorary Chair. Daniel is a seven-year-old cancer survivor who loves videogames and Nascar. He will soon visit his favorite driver, Jimmy Johnson, for his Make a Wish trip.

Last year’s torch bearers, the Tabor family, passed the Relay torch on to the Tomberlin family. Survivors banded behind Daniel and his family for a lap around the track. Following the survivor lap, 40 teams from the community lapped the track to raise money and support for cancer research.

Brenda Angel was the guest speaker at the opening ceremony.

Speaker and local highschooler Maggie Corbin said she had participated in Relay since the age of six. In an emotional address, Corbin spoke of the choices her parents made when she was just a baby that likely saved her life when she was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. She said she has learned to live with the scars of cancer; they are battle scars from a battle she has overcome.

The “Our Hands, His Heart Puppet Team” entertained the crowd prior to the opening ceremony.

“You should be proud of what you do,” said Dills to the tearful crowd. “Relay is like a family reunion. We honor the lives of our valiant survivors.”

After a night of walking, awards were presented to teams early Saturday morning. The Best Campsite award went to the Wal-Mart Warriors. The Team Spirit award was given to the Family of Stars Team. Best Banner went to Watauga Baptist Church; Rookie of the Year Team was awarded to the Prentiss Church of God; and the All Night award went to Musicians on a Mission. The team recognized for the most registered survivors was Angel Medical Center.

Relay for Life first began 25 years ago when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, began walking a track in Tacoma, Washington to raise funds for the ACS. Klatt walked for 24 hours, covered 83 miles and raised $27,000.