Relayforlife42315

Saturday, May 2nd Starting at 9:00a.m.

Downtown Cleveland

Honoring Survivors, Remembering Loved Ones, And Finding A Cure!

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE

2—Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015

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5:15 to 6 p.m. — Project Runway Relay 10 teams will have 15 minutes to design an outfit for survivors to judge Zumba with Leslie Miller

Tentative schedule 9 to 9:50 a.m. — Survivor registration and Luminaries sales

6 to 7:15 p.m. — Dexter Thomas Band

9:45 a.m. — “It’s a Beautiful Day U2” to start Relay 9:50 to 10 a.m. — Emcee David Orr to announce Civil Air Patrol for presentation of Colors, National Anthem

Relay For Life of Bradley County May 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Downtown Cleveland

10 a.m. — “Rocky” theme song for Welcome, Good morning Bradley County.

Emcee David Orr to introduce Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland

11 a.m. — Emcee to start Survivors Walk by recognizing each individual CHS and E.L.. Ross cheerleaders to place medals on survivors Survivors directed to balloon arch

10:05 a.m. — Rowland introduces chair lead Tiffany Thornhill, introduces committee members

11:15 a.m. — Survivors Walk begins The Relay For Life offers the opportunity for cancer survivors to be recognized and supported.

Survivors take the first lap around the track, celebrating their victory over cancer while cheered on by the other participants.

10:15 a.m. — Opening prayer — Steve Morgan 10:20 a.m. — Introduction of Trina Montgomery with On Stage Dance Company

11:30 a.m. — Thornhill recognizes caregivers Caregivers Walk begins

10:30-1045 a.m. — On Stage Dance Company performs

The Relay For Life recognizes the caregivers, who give time, love and support to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers facing cancer.

19:45 a.m. — Survivors gather at chairs in front of stage

11:45 a.m. — Team Walk to begin

Teams will be recognized and photos taken by Allen Mincey 12 noon — Sonic Brew takes stage Walk begins 1::15 p.m. — Hula Hoop contest Meghan Greene, co-chair, to give mission statement and announce money run Amber Mullins leads fun stretching exercises for runners

7:15 to 8 p.m. — Fight back ceremony Money run 8 p.m. —

Revolution Show Choir from Lake Forest Middle

8:30 p.m. — Robert Bradney to talk about luminaries 9 p.m. —

Luminaries Ceremony Bill Millen to play bag pipes Steve Hartline to give names for luminaries 10 p.m. — Closing ceremony

2 to 3:15 p.m. — Blues Hammer to perform 3:15 p.m. — Pantene Beautiful Play Cha Cha Slide Meghan Greene gives mission statement and money run.

Happy Birthday Lap 4 to 5:15 p.m. — No One Special to perform

In Memory...

In Honor...

In Hope...

FOR A CURE

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Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015—3

Survivor — Jeremy Love

Brain cancer patient finds peace, healing

By JOYANNA LOVE Banner Senior Staff Writer (Writer’s note: Jeremy Love is my husband. We became good friends during his recovery, but I never knew his full cancer story.)

A brain cancer diagnosis was overwhelming for Jeremy Love, he said, until he found peace in knowing God would heal him.

In October 2011, he was diagnosed with stage 3 brain cancer. The doctors had found a mass larger than a golf ball on his frontal lobe.

“It was overwhelming,” Love said. “I think the first few days I was really just in absolute shock because the doctors said it was stage 3 and they gave me a 5 percent chance of living.”

Troubling symptoms had led Love to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.

“I was having issues with concentration and mood and thinking, and I was really irritable and getting headaches,” Love said.

Doctors said if he did survive, he would be have to undergo radiation for three years. Doctors are not certain what caused the cancer to form, but speculated that it was caused by the brain producing too much of one kind of chemical. They are also unsure how long the cancer had been growing before it was discovered.

“I tried to hide it from my parents, initially,” Love said. “Because I was afraid they would overreact.”

His father found out through a friend.

Love was referred to Parkridge Medical Center’s oncology department.

He was put on radiation pills and scheduled for surgery.

Banner photo, JOYANNA LOVE

JEREMY LOVE was diagnosed with stage 3 brain cancer and given a 5 percent chance of living. That was in 2011. Today he is cancer free.

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On Oct. 30, Love went in for surgery to remove the tumor.

“I was nervous for days beforehand, but then the day I went into surgery it’s like the peace of God came over me. I felt complete contentment, regardless of what happened. Because I knew, whether or not God healed me in the temporal or the eternal, He was going to heal me,” Love said.

Love said his friends were “really supportive” throughout the process. His church family and former professors were also supportive during that difficult

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Luminaria Ceremony

Honoring lives touched by cancer During the Relay For Life of Bradley County, the American Cancer Society will hold a Luminaria Ceremony to honor, remember and celebrate the lives who have been touched by cancer.

A special luminaria service is planned beginning at 9 p.m. The names of each person will be announced.

Each luminaria is decorated with the name, photo or message in memory or to honor a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer.

The luminaria ceremony provides an opportunity to reminisce and celebrate not only the lives of these extraordinary individuals, but also their strength and courage.

This touching ceremony highlights the importance of defeating this disease and striving toward a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

LOVE from page 3

time.

What meant the most was “people taking the time to be there; just the presence of other people in my life.”

“Their time told me that they cared more than anything,” Love said.

During the recovery process, Love said it was difficult “not being able to eat chocolate without having severe headaches.”

He also had a constant lack of energy.

Doctors were able to remove part of the tumor, but not the entire thing. Radiation

treatments continued.

“They still were saying I might have to do that for quite some time, and then I went back one day for a follow-up appointment in February of 2012. They did an MRI and basically they saw it disintegrate. It was gone,” Love said.

He had the healing he had for which he had prayed.

“People had been praying for me,” Love said. “People at my church were praying for me. People from other churches were praying for me. Former pastors were praying for me.”

After that follow-up appointment, Love began a stepdown process to end his radi-

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ation treatments.

For those who have just received a cancer diagnosis, Love said “making time to pray and asking the Lord to be there for them and surrender it to Him” is crucial.

“If I hadn’t had that trust and hope, I would have fallen apart,” Love said.

He also stressed the importance of staying positive and having “true friends” who will stick by you.

“You need to focus on the positive things in your life, regardless of what you are going through,” Love said.

He said friends who were willing to listen to what he was going through helped him through his cancer journey.

“Each luminaria represents the life of someone who has battled cancer. It is a beautiful sight when all the bags with candles are illuminaed,” a volunteer said. “The luminaria ceremony is a moving way to remember loved ones lost to cancer and to pay tribute to cancer survivors.”

Since its beginning in 1985, Relay For Life has developed from one man running around a track for 24 hours to a full- fledged international event taking place in more than 5,000 communities and 20 countries across the globe with nearly 4 million walkers in the United States alone.

Teams raise money before the event and during the event at their personal campouts. All the funds raised from Relay For Life support the American Cancer Society’s mission to help people stay well, by helping them get well, by finding cures and fighting back.

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2015 Relay For Life Theme:

‘I Love the ’80s’ Goal is to raise $150,000 In 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt raised $27,000 to help the American Cancer Society fight cancer by running and walking for 24 hours around a Tacoma, Wash., track.

To highlight the start of the Relay For Life, the theme this year is “I Love the 80s.”

Since that first relay, Relay For Life has become a worldwide event raising nearly $5 billion in the fight against cancer.

The goal for Relay For Life of Bradley County is to have 50 teams participating and raising $150,000.

So far, at least 33 teams and 220 participants are raising awareness of cancer and honoring those who have fought the cancer battle. There is still time to join in the fundraising efforts to help the local unit make its goal According to the Bradley County Relay For Life website, some $38,053.30 has been raised so far this year locally.

The top team fundraisers so far are Team Eaton with $10,474; Team CPQ and TPC with $4,163.75; and

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THEME from page 5

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Other teams include SkyRidge Medical Center, St. Luke’s Soup du Jour, Olin C/A Products/Charleston Elementary, Team Polk, Tennessee Oncology — Dr. Krueger and Dr. Tran, Lake Forest Middle School Bruins, Bowater Employees Credit Union Lowell’s Ningas, Peyton’s SE, E.L. Ross Elementary, Karen’s Family and Friends, BiLo, Bradley County Farm Bureau, Life Care of Cleveland, River Counties Association of Realtors, Garden Plaza, Team Jannie, South Polk Elementary, Cleveland H.U.G.S., Bradley Central High School, Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, Chilis Cancer Crushers, Cleveland Middle School, Cleveland Regional Cancer Center, Cleveland Utilities, Excellence of Hope, Family Home & Hospice Care, Life Care Centers of Americas, Lonza/Walker Valley High School, Ocoee Middle School and Team Relentless.

An opportunity for the community to unite in the fight against cancer, The Relay for Life is not just a 24-hour walk/run around the Courthouse Square. It is full of music, activities, events and special remembrances.

The teams will be participating in activities around the Courthouse in downtown Cleveland with members of the teams taking turns walking around the course.

Why is there a need to raise funds?

The American Cancer Society has been helping find answers to the causes and treatments of cancer for more than 65 years.

“With the help of the teams and individuals through Relay For Life, we are not fighting one type of cancer, but for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community,” a ACS representative noted.

“Each person who shares the Relay For Life experience can take pride in knowing they are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten our loved ones or rob anyone of another birthday,” according to ACS.

Photos are courtesy of American Cancer Society

PhotoS ShowCASe some of the fun and support given at the 2014 Relay For Life of Bradley County.

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Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015— 7

American Cancer Society is sponsor of more birthdays As the official sponsor of birthdays, the American Cancer Society knows how important each and every birthday can be. They are leading the way to transform cancer from deadly to treatable, and from treatable to preventable.

The progress the ACS has helped make in the past 100 years is remarkable.

“We believe we’ve done more than any other cancer-fighting organization on the planet. On May 22, 2013, ACS celebrated its 100th birthday — 100 years of saving lives and creating more birthdays. We believe this milestone is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate our lifesaving progress, raise additional funds to finish the fight, and let everyone know that cancer’s time is up,” a representative said.

More than a 100 years ago, the word “cancer” was not spoken. Almost all patients were lost to the disease.

It is now known that cancer thrives on silence and complacency. Progress comes when we speak out, when we make noise.

Today is a time to get loud by taking more action. It’s a time to embark on our most ambitious crusade yet. The American Cancer Society is determined to make this cancer’s last century.

Since the American Cancer Society was instituted, we have found that cancer hates noise, commotion and action.

Progress comes when we speak out — when we proclaim victories and take action.

So we want to be loud. We want to break through the clutter. We need to link arms and make some noise. Silence won’t finish the fight. Only action will.

After more than a 100 years of saving lives and creating more birthdays, the ACS has led the way in the fight against cancer. n Today, 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. are surviving (for at least five years). In fact, every day more than 400 people celebrate birthdays that

would have otherwise been lost to the disease.

We’ve contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since the early 1990s. That means we’ve helped save nearly 1.2 million lives during that time.

It is estimated that 848,200 men and 810,170 women will receive a diagnosis of cancer during this year.

The ACS statistics estimate that 312,150 men and 277,280 women in the United States will die of cancer in 2015.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death by both men and women. n ACS has played a role in nearly every cancer research breakthrough in recent history. n Each year, we help cancer patients everywhere get the help they need when they need it. For example, last year alone we assisted nearly 1 million people who called us for help, providing free services like a place to stay while traveling for treatment, rides to treatment, emotional support, and much more. n Our work has helped lead to a 50 percent drop in smoking since the 1960s, which has contributed to an overall drop in lung cancer death rates.

the middle of the night, we’re in your corner around the clock to guide you through every step of your cancer experience. n The American Cancer Society helps people get well by providing reliable information to help make decisions, or free services like transportation to and from cancer treatment or a free place to stay while receiving treatment away from home.

FINDING CuReS

n We have a long history of saving lives by helping find cancer’s causes and cures. n Whether it’s discovering medications that help people live longer and better than ever after a cancer experience, or pioneering and promoting the most promising cancer prevention or screening tests, we’ve been involved in nearly every major cancer research breakthrough in recent history. n As the largest private, nonprofit funder of cancer research in the US, we support the best ideas of the brightest cancer researchers, who with each discovery are getting us closer to a world with more birth days. Funding lifesaving research is

one of the ways we’ll help finish the fight.

FIGHTING BACk

n At its core, the American Cancer Society is a grassroots force of passionate volunteers who tirelessly seek to save lives from cancer. It will take each and every one of us to come together to finish the fight. n We work with lawmakers everywhere to make this world a healthier place to live and we rally communities around the U.S.

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STAYING Well

n The key to celebrating more birthdays is to stay well. n We save lives by helping people everywhere take steps to prevent cancer or find it early, when it’s most treatable. n Whether it’s helping you quit smoking, providing information on what cancer screening tests are right for you, or through simple tips to live a healthier lifestyle, we are working to finish the fight by turning what we know about cancer into what we do about it.

GeTTING Well

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Cancer Survivor — Cindy Trahan

Spreading hope for the future

By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG Banner Staff Writer Cindy Trahan, a cancer survivor who now participates in the Bradley County Relay For Life event each year, is a woman determined to spread hope.

Originally from Chauvin, La., the Cleveland resident is now the wellness coordinator for Garden Plaza of Cleveland and serves as the captain of her workplace’s Relay team.

In 1998, at the age of 29, Trahan got some shocking news. Her doctor told her she had stage 4 colon cancer, and hope was pretty hard to find.

“The doctors didn’t expect me to make it,” Trahan said.

Though they were doing all they could to help, the doctors said they had never seen someone her age with that type of cancer, much less a survivor her age.

She recounted one scary moment in the hospital when her body stopped making enough blood. Doctors gave her 2-pint blood transfusions before and after a surgery she had, but her blood counts kept getting dangerously low.

At one point, she was trying to talk to her doctors, but they did not understand what she was trying to say.

The doctors were amazed she was even conscious, she explained. Trahan later found out her blood count had been so low that she only had the equivalent of 2 pints of blood left in her body. Her vital signs were looking pretty dire.

“Clinically, I was dead,” Trahan said.

Though they couldn’t understand her

garbled speech, she said she remembers her side of the attempted conversation. She was too busy fighting for her life to pay attention to things like numbers on hospital machinery.

Perhaps realizing the gravity of her situation then, Trahan said she remembers telling the doctors she had way too much going on in her life to even think about dying; she had other plans.

Her two young sons, Wesley and Jacob, were waiting for her at home, and she wanted to see their graduations, weddings and other important milestones.

“I said, ‘I’m going to go home,’” Trahan said. “They did not give me any hope, so I prayed. I gave myself hope.”

She ended up spending 22 days in the hospital, and she still had some obstacles to overcome even after she left. She underwent six months of chemotherapy while trying to very quickly get back to her daily routine.

For her, that meant taking chemotherapy as she went about her work day. A portacath opening a vein in her chest up for medicine was connected by tubes to a

device in a fanny pack she wore around her waist.

“I only passed out twice on the job,” Trahan said. “But I felt bad about that.”

She said she had people telling her to take time off and stay home, but the will she had to fight off the cancer as quickly as possible made it difficult to just sit around.

“I said, ‘No, I’ve got to get my life back to normal,’” Trahan recalled.

Though the road back to normal was not an easy one, she now calls herself “extremely, extremely blessed.” As she eventually became cancer-free, she got to watch her sons grow up, and she recently welcomed her first grandchild, the now 4month-old Liam.

In 2008, she began her career with Garden Plaza after working for years at Hardwick Clothes and Benton Manufacturing. At the urging of one of her college student sons, she began looking into the possibility of becoming a nurse.

Unable to study nursing in college right away, she instead got the training she needed to become a certified nursing assistant and was offered a CNA job at Garden Plaza. Working her way up through the ranks, she eventually found herself in her current position.

As wellness coordinator, she plays a role in making residents of the assisted living facility get all the services they need, and she said it is the type of job she might not have considered had it not been for her cancer.

Trahan said receiving the support she did from those around her made her want

Cindy Trahan to be in a career that would allow her to help care for others.

Though she still visits doctors at reguSee TRAHAN, Page 9

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TRAHAN from page 8

lar intervals to make sure everything is OK, Trahan said the cancer has gone away.

Still, something else has lingered behind, and it is one of the reasons why she has decided to be part of encouraging efforts like Relay For Life.

She explained someone who goes through cancer or another serious illness will often face some level of fear.

When they get better, they fear having the disease come back.

“That fear never leaves you,” Trahan said. “I have just locked it in a certain part of my heart. I say, ‘Today, you can’t come out.’”

Instead, she said she turns that fear into positivity. After she decides fear won’t rule her day, Trahan said that frees her up to be able to “choose to be a blessing” to someone else.

If someone finds he or she has been diagnosed with cancer, she advises making the decision to hold onto hope — no matter what. Referencing her own neardeath experience, she noted one cannot underestimate the power of positivity and determination.

“Keep the faith,” Trahan advised.

“Don’t lose your hope.”

If someone finds a friend, loved one or co-worker has been diagnosed with cancer, it can sometimes be hard to find the best way to give words of encouragement.

Trahan said that is fine, because actions speak louder than words. Using the example of her receiving encouraging hugs when she was going through cancer, she said could “feel” the support even when there were no real words exchanged.

“Sometimes, there’s no words to give,” Trahan said. “In that hug, they can feel that courage that you’re giving them.”

She said her ex-husband, Tony, whom

Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015— 9

she still calls a friend, was a good source of support during her cancer journey, and his actions spoke volumes.

During times when she was feeling ill from the chemo, he would do things like hold her hair back for her when the nausea she had gotten to be too much.

Though cancer can be a stressful experience, Trahan said people should not stress over trying to figure out what to say to make things better. Sometimes, being there is all that is needed.

She said she was thankful to have friends and co-workers who graciously supported her through her experience.

While Relay For Life is a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, she said the purpose of the event transcends just getting money for things like cancer research.

It is a way the community can show support to those dealing with cancer and share stories of encouragement.

Trahan has participated in Relay For Life for 17 years now, and she is in her third year of being captain of her team, “Stars for Life.”

She and her teammates have been busy planning a booth with items to sell for the cause and a humorous game played with lingerie and ping-pong balls dubbed “bra pong,” a game meant to poke fun at breast cancer.

Though the annual event has its share of moments for remembering friends and loved ones lost to cancer, she said it is largely “pure celebration” of life and of hope for the future.

“Throughout the day, we have so much fun,” Trahan said.

She said her favorite part of the day is what is known as the Survivors’ Lap, when those who have had cancer proudly showcase their survivor status.

Even if someone is fighting through cancer, she said they will often find they can have a good time with people who support them and know what they’re experiencing.

“You have to find your laughter. You have to find your joy when it takes a turn for the worst,” Trahan said. “It’s about laughing through the pain we’ve all been through.”

Five years prior to her cancer diagnosis, Trahan and her family experienced the tragedy of losing her father to a different kind of cancer. Though the memory of losing him is a difficult one, she said his determination to fight the cancer to the best of his ability was inspirational.

“I remembered the courage and the strength that he showed,” she said.

There is something powerful about

those with cancer sharing the strength they have with others, said Trahan.

Memories of those lost are honored at the Relay event, and those who have survived are encouraged to share their stories.

She said there is not much a caregiver, family member or friend can give to a cancer patient to put him or her at ease when fear is involved.

However, she has found one thing, and she is working on giving it away through Relay For Life. That thing is hope.

“I do it so other people can see hope,” Trahan said. “All they’ve got to do is look at me, and I’ll give them mine.”

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Some of the activities and participants from the 2014 Relay For Life in downtown Cleveland are showcased.

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Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015— 11

12—Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015

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What is Relay For Life?

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fund-raising event, bringing communities together in hope, celebration and memory.

It is a unique event that offesr everyone in the community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer.

The event remembers those who have lost the fight against cancer and honors those who have survive.

Who participates?

Photos are from the 2014 Relay For Life Bradley County activities around the Courthouse.

Because Relay For Life is a community vent, everyone is encouraged to participate. Teams of people form businesses, clubs, families, friends, hospitals, churches, schools and service organizations come together to celebrate, remember and fight back against caner.

Thee people share a common purpose — their support of the American Caner Society’s mission During the event, team members take turns walking on the track. Each participant is encouraged to raise at least $100 for the American Cancer Society.

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Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015— 13

Cancer Survivor — David Sink

‘We don’t use the ‘C’ word’

By TONY EUBANK

Contributed photo

DaviD anD Nickie Sink are shown at left.

Banner Staff Writer

In September 2002, David Sink, the CEO of Physicians Services Drug & Alcohol Testing, Inc., traveled to the Gulf Coast with a group of emergency medical care workers, to help with post-Hurricane Katrina disaster relief.

When they arrived they were sent to a Vietnamese community in Biloxi, Mississippi. There, they set up a tent that would serve as a clinic.

When Sink returned home to Tennessee after witnessing the harrowing conditions, he began working on payroll for his employer at the time, and experienced what he called “the headache of my life.”

“I remembered calling a doctor friend of mine and describing the headaches with nausea and vomiting,” he said.

“She immediately ordered a CT, which revealed the brain tumor. My biggest fear was my blood pressure. It was 300 over 220. I worried about a stroke.”

After the CT scan showed the brain tumor, Sink was directed to Dr. Walter Boehm, a neurosurgeon based in Chattanooga.

Sink said after Boehm removed the tumor, he was able to proceed with his life as usual.

Sink said, “Two days before my tumor revealing itself, God provided a miracle to a group of us taking care of the sick and injured, post Katrina in Biloxi. After witnessing the event, I had little fear. God was in charge.”

Years later, in 2013, Sink was suffering from headaches again, so he called the

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neurologist’s office.

Sink described his experience that day as the neurologists discussed his MRI results within his hearing range, saying things like, “I have never seen a tumor so large” and “We will most likely need to take off the front of his skull.”

Sink said to himself, “Please Lord, don’t let them be talking about me.”

Although he did lose vision in his right eye, Sink was grateful to be alive and happy he did not have to have any part of his skull removed, a fortunate turn which Sink attributes to the skilled hands of his surgeon, Dr. Philip Megison.

Megison referred Sink to radiation oncologist Dr. Jeffery Gefter so he could See SINK, Page 14

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14—Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015

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Our mission The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, communitybased, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.

Photos are from the 2014 Relay For Life of Bradley County in downtown Cleveland.

SINK from page 13

be treated for the remaining parts of the tumor the surgeon could not remove.

Sink said his family rallied around him at the time, and that people he did not know on the street stopped to say they were praying for him.

“I remember when I walked in for my first radiation treatment the nurse asked me, ‘How long have you had brain cancer?’ I responded quickly by saying I did not have brain cancer ... I had a brain tumor,” Sink said.

Sink continued, “She set me straight by saying that they were the same thing. I told her in my house, we don’t use the ‘C’ word.”

Sink described going through the radiation treatments, “The side effects from radiation are almost funny. I was a ‘popcorn-a-holic’ before, and now I don’t like popcorn. I never liked chocolate, and now I have chocolate cravings. The radiation oncologist told me that my body would crave food to repair itself. He said not to worry about weight,” said Sink “After 28 treatments of radiation, my vision returned in my right eye. The only way I know to describe radiation is to say that you start your day normal and then a few hours later there is a brick wall that you can’t walk through. I had a reverse Mohawk haircut — when my hair grew back, it grew in the opposite direction it grew before,” Sink explained.

Sink once again was experiencing headaches and went to get an MRI (mag-

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netic resonance imaging). Coincidently, the headaches had stopped just before he went to get the MRI done. A few days afterward, Sink’s wife, Nickie, received a call from the neurologist’s office. They said he needed to be in the office first thing in the morning.

“Alarmed, Nickie and I went to Dr. Megison’s office and he told us that I had a significant bleed in my brain. I asked him if he had the right chart,” said Sink.

The finding was actually a blessing in disguise, as the spot once occupied by what remained of the tumor contained a blood vessel that had ruptured and filled the spot. The rupture healed on it’s own and Sink has been cancer free since.

Sink spoke on the experience saying, “God is good and prayer works.”

Sink currently resides in Cleveland with Nickie and two children, daughter Bailey and son David Jr., and two grandchildren.

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Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015— 15

Entertainment

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10:20 to 10:45 a.m. — Tria Montgomery with On Stage Dance Company The center offers dance classes for ages toddlers through adults — Variations include ballet, Jazz, Tap, acro/tumbling, contemporary lyrical, musical theater and more.

12 noon — Sonic Brew The band plays rock and is composed of Brian Tyndall - Vocals, Guitar Steve Daughtry - Guitar, Vocals Nathan Renfro - Bass Guitar Barrett Parker - Drums

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16—Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015

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This disease has touched my family in a close and personal way, as my Mother, Carlean Harris, succumbed to Pancreatic cancer. I myself have faced my own personal challenge, as I was diagnosed with 3rd stage melanoma skin cancer. With the loving support of my family, God’s help, many prayers and today’s medical knowledge, I have been cancer free for thirteen years.

When you are faced with this challenge yourself, it is a comfort knowing the success stories of other cancer survivors.

Relay for Life is an out pouring of love, compassion and support to continue cancer research with the ultimate goal to end this dreaded decease. As a survivor, I thank you. Please continue your support for Relay for Life.

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www.clevelandbanner.com

Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015— 17

Road to Recovery What is the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program?

Road to Recovery is an American Cancer Society program designed to ensure that cancer patients have transportation to and from medical facilities for treatments. Volunteer drivers provide patients with a ride in order to keep them on their regular treatment schedule.

Why is Road to Recovery so important?

Many advances have been made in the fight against cancer. As a result, more people than ever can survive their personal battle with the disease. Unfortunately, when cancer patients do not have the means to actually get to and from their treatment facility, what stands between them and a cure may be a ride.

The Road to Recovery program is faced with the classic supply/demand problem — how to satisfy increasing demand for services with a fixed or decreasing supply of volunteers.

There has been a 344 percent increase in demand for Road to Recovery transportation services in the last 20 years and

a 46 per- cent increase in the last 10 years.

We anticipate demand to continue to grow over the next 20 years. The 60 and older opu- lation will increase by 32 percent, and the population over 85 will increase by nearly 90 percent. Our mobile society means many families are geographically dispersed and not able to help each other on a daily basis.

The movement toward outpatient treatment and away from hospitalization is also con- tributing to the increased demand for trans- portation services. The supply of drivers has not kept up with the tremendous growth and demand.

Who volunteers for Road to Recovery?

Road to Recovery volunteers can be individual drivers with time to help others or even local companies who allow employees to pro- vide transportation on company time in company cars.

While Road to Recovery volunteers current- ly come from all walks of life, the American Cancer Society knows that there are undiscovered possibilities in

Sponsors and Relay assistants include: o JA will be helping with registration and sale of luminaries o Princess Parlor will be offering carriage rides to our child cancer survivors o Steve Hartline Mix 101.4 o CHS cheerleading squad o E.L Ross cheerleading squad o Civil Air Patrol o Christina Kinzer to set up treats and massages also goodie bag ideas and T-shirts.

every community.

Anyone who has a driver’s license, a safe driving record, personal automobile insurance, owns a car or has access to one, and can spare as little as one morning or afternoon a month is encouraged to volunteer.

Who do I call to get more information on the Road to Recovery program?

Call the American Cancer Society at 1-

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How else does the American Cancer Society help in transporting patients to treatment?

The American Cancer Society offers transportation grants to hospitals. Our Hope Lodge facilities located across the Division offer free trips to the hospital for families staying there.

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18—Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015

www.clevelandbanner.com

Cancer Survivor — Larry Bowers Early detection ‘probably saved my life’

By LARRY C. BOWERS Banner Staff Writer

Early Detection! You hear about its importance with dreaded diseases, such as cancer. I’m living proof this is true.

A little more than a decade ago, in 2004, I began having some health problems with an irregular bowel movement. It really wasn’t that irregular, there was almost no movement at all.

When this happens to a person, you know you have a problem.

I went to my physician, Dr. Marc Clark, and he had some magic words for me. It was the medical word you don’t want to hear ... colonoscopy! With my concerns at this point, it was not unexpected or a huge surprise.

This is where you have to cleanse your system, and drink a gallon of that awful stuff. But, I braved it well and prepared myself for the ordeal at the Surgery Center on 25th Street.

Colonoscopies are not that bad, since you’re in twilight land most of the time.

It’s the preparation that makes them bad.

I went into the procedure with a clear head, but anticipating unpleasant news. I was right.

Clark came into recovery to talk with me. “Your colon is about 95 percent blocked by a tumor, and I’m pretty sure it’s cancer,” he said.

As you’re growing into adulthood, you sometimes think about how you’d feel, how you’d act, and what you’d do, when and if you ever hear those words.

For me, I immediately knew there was a battle ahead. I had already assumed, before Clark’s diagnosis, that this was one of the possibilities. His declaration

was no huge surprise, and I saw no need to delay seeking answers.

I left the surgery center and went straight to Clark’s office nearby. He had recommended a surgeon in Chattanooga, and the doctor’s office had put together my records for an afternoon trip to see the surgeon.

I met Dr. Charles Portero Jr. at his office in Memorial Hospital. I was immediately calmed by his demeanor. He wore cowboy boots, so I knew everything was going to be fine.

He took me into his photo lab and showed me pictures of my colon, which was not the movie choice of the week. He explained that what needed to be done was a re-section, or removing the tumor and re-connecting my colon.

He then told me we could scheduled the surgery in a couple of weeks. I asked why we needed to wait.

This was on a Wednesday, and he was leaving Friday on a fishing trip. I said, “I really don’t want to wait!”

“What about in the morning?” he asked. “Let’s go for it,” I responded.

I really hadn’t thought this out. When

you have this type of surgery, you have to clean your system, as I had done the night before. So, I had to drink that stuff two nights in a row.

Since I had no family locally, my son came down from Maryville on Thursday morning to drive me to Memorial. The operation and re-section took hours, although I didn’t know, or really care (at the time).

I awoke late at night, and was confused. I was feeling no pain, but decided I needed to leave. I didn’t know where I was, but thought I was in a school.

The blinds over one window in my room were up, so I thought it was a door. I pulled out all my IVs, and tubes, and tried to get out the window. Unsuccessful, I eventually discovered the door across the room and went out into the hallway.

Blood was squirting everywhere, and nurses were running about screaming.

It took 30 minutes to convince me I was in a hospital, instead of a school. I was very unpopular for a time, since they had to helped me back to my room and reattach all my connections.

The hospital stay was otherwise uneventful, but lasted for more than a week. I then returned home and convalesced for several weeks before returning to work.

You might say this is quite a cancer story, with early detection of my colon tumor being a huge factor in the successful surgery and recovery. But, it only starts here.

My physician recommended I see oncologist Dr. Sylvia Krueger for follow-up treatment to prevent the possible spread of the cancer. She recommended a regi-

Larry Bowers men of chemotherapy with injections and pills.

I managed the chemo rather well, except for the initial shock at the pharmacy.

Krueger gave me a prescription for 28 See BOWERS, Page 19

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Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015— 19

BOWERS from page 18

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I consider it a badge of honor and achievement, but not something I want to experience again.

Thankfully, I’m now considered cancer-free. But, that doesn’t exclude me from regular check-ups, blood tests, scans and many, many needles.

This is a prudent and necessary prevention strategy, with early detection in mind.

I know as well as anyone that early detection probably saved my life.

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pills, two a day, for two weeks. When I went to pick up the prescription I was concerned that I might not have enough to pay for them since I only had a couple hundred dollars in my billfold.

I asked the pharmacist the cost, and she said $1,256. After I picked myself up off the floor, I uttered those famous words from Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie “Terminator.”

I said “I’ll be back!”

The chemo treatments went well, except for some minor inconveniences such a mild sickness. Check-ups also were routine ... for three years.

In 2007, my regular scans discovered a small tumor in the upper right lobe of my lung. Krueger recommended I see Dr. Robert Headrick in Chattanooga, a heart-lung surgeon.

He was also an impressive physician, and an instructor at the Mayo Clinic.

But, he was not that encouraging. He said the tumor, although small, needed to be removed as well as a portion of that lobe.

The doctor added, “You need to look at it as if your glass is half full, but it probably isn’t!” Those words will get your attention.

We settled on a date and time for the surgery, but the drive back from Chattanooga was difficult. With Headrick’s statement, I realized I should probably get my affairs in order. My top priority was my puppy, Lucy, and my kitty, Lacy.

I resolved this problem a couple of days later as two of my co-workers agreed to take them if needed.

Preparation for this lung surgery went well, except the heart test pushed me and highlighted the fact my heart skips a beat. They told me millions of people have this problem.

The surgery went much as the colon re-section, although it did not take near-

ly as long. Headrick met me in recovery and seemed elated when he said, “I checked all 23 lymph nodes in your chest, but found no other cancer.”

I didn’t understand his excitement, until later.

Approximately two years later, in 2009, my scans found another tumor, this time in the lower left lobe of my other lung. I again went to Headrick, and he recommended the same surgery as before. “It should go about the same,” he said.

His prediction proved true, a quick removal and quick recovery.

During a post-surgery visit to Headrick, I asked him why the lack of encouragement before the first lung surgery.

He looked me in the eye and said, “You’re suppose to be dead! I treat stage 4 cancer patients, and you’re stage 4. I usually don’t get to know my patients more than three or four months.”

He went on to explain that with most cancer patients, when the cancer cells go to other organs, the cancer spreads throughout the chest. He said there is a very small percentage of people, like me, in whom the cancer only spreads to a spot.

He added if I did not develop another tumor within two to three years, I likely would be cancer free. That was almost six years ago.

I realized later why he was so excited following my first lung surgery.

My experiences with cancer were not that dramatic, but life-threatening all the same. I had challenges, but met them the best I could. The early detection of colon cancer was crucial, and probably the most significant in my diagnosis, surgery, treatment and recovery.

I’m considered a stage 4 cancer patient, because my cancer spread from one organ to another. This rating stays with you. It’s like being selected as an All-American, or being named to the All-

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20—Cleveland Daily Banner—Thursday, April 23, 2015

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