Relay for Life – the Stories

Each lighted bag has the name of someone who has been a cancer patient. Some have won and some have lost the battle. Sherry’s Shots This was the night, at the Leon High School football field, where no one felt conspicuous wearing a turban or even not wearing one and showing a bald head. This was the night when these survivors were honored and shown respect for the battle they are currently fighting.

According to The American Cancer Society, one of every three people in the USA will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. Every 2.5 minutes a woman is told that she has breast cancer.

Leslie Pate is a 34-year -old single mom with three school-aged children. She works as a teacher’s aid at Leon Schools and was recently diagnosed with cancer. She has completed her second chemo treatment.

Jane Cooper has lived in Buffalo since 1986. She was diagnosed in November and has just finished her chemo treatments. She is beginning to feel better.

Suzie Teddlie, beloved educator who recently succumbed to cancer, has a candle of hope in her memory. There were several members of the Oakwood team who were wearing pink tshirts in memory of “my son”, “my husband” and “my dad”. The person being remembered was Sammy Lipsey, for whom the Oakwood High School gym is named. Sammy was the son of Bubba and Jo Lipsey and died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 46. He was married to Vicki for almost 25 years and had three children: Jamie, Julie and Jordan. His dad, mom, wife and two daughters were at the event Friday night.

The Lipseys’ next door neighbor of more than 50 years is Winnie Hodges who is is a cancer survivor. Winnie and Jo have been friends through the years and have called on each other for strength during the ups and downs that Life has sent them.

There were hundreds of stories on the football field Friday night. Many had lost their battle and some were just beginning to fight. Some were the stories of those who took care of the ill loved one and watched as the cancer won the ultimate battle. Some could rejoice because that loved one recovered.

All who were there, in Leon High School Football Stadium, witnessing the unbelievable sunset and watching through tears as the luminarias were lit, had to feel the presence of those who were being remembered and whisper a prayer of thanks for the precious gift of Life.