Sunrise at the Stadium – Relay for Life participants greet the new day with hope
“I started at 6 p.m. yesterday. There are many reasons why I am walking. Number one, I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, as just another challenge. After I got done with the cancer treatments, I went through this period where it was almost like a letdown, because I didn’t have anything to fight,” admitted Taylor, who noted that during his time in treatment, he found a ‘second family.’
“A friend of mine who I had known for 30 years, Harold Auman, who I had taken chemo with, just passed away in April of 2011, and another gentleman I met in chemo who just passed away a month ago. You just get so close when you are in that room together, getting chemo. It’s like a second family. You just have such a mutual respect,” commented Taylor, as he paused to remember. “There were people in a lot worse shape than I was. They don’t give up, they don’t quit. They’re always smiling…they may be in a lot of pain, but they always want to pick you up. Everybody just kind of put their own situation to the side, and really cared more about other people.”
Taylor is philosophical about his bout with cancer, which was declared to be in remission in February 2011.
“In a weird way, I am blessed to have had (cancer), because I’ve met some incredible people. I learned a lot. It gives you a total different outlook on life. Things that used to bother me and drive me crazy, I just let it slide off now, because it’s not worth it. It really isn’t. I just have so much respect for those people. I just wanted to not only honor my friend, but challenge myself again.”
Participant Bob Ehret, of Clyde, Ohio, took a special challenge during the walk. In the chilly 6 a.m. air, he was the lone taker for the frozen T-shirt contest. Ehret donned a T-shirt that had been soaked and then frozen overnight, pulling it over his torso before he returned to the track, where he alternated between walking and jogging.
Ehret was in the relay in honor of his daughter, who proudly jogged beside him.
“Fourteen years ago, I battled leukemia, and I’m here. I am living proof,” stated Amy Ehret, team captain for the Eastport Peeps, one of 54 teams participating.
“When I found out I had cancer…I prayed, put it in God’s hands, and everything was positive, positive. I just felt not only can I honor my friends who did not make it, but I can challenge myself,” said Taylor, as he began yet another lap around the track. “This sunrise is a new morning, a new hope. That’s what it is all about, to encourage people, to have the hope, to instill a positive attitude. “
Relay for Life winning teams:
Best Cake - Team Dees
Best Cookie - Dorothy Church
Ms. Relay - tie - Cody Mizer, Kyle Mizer and Matt Williamson (guys dress as ladies and travel around the track collecting donations.
Best Camp Site - Dover Schools, Captain Terri Miller
Best Cancer Control Message - UPS - Delivering Hope, Captain Lynzee Abel
Most Spirited Opening Lap - St. John’s Church of Christ, Captain Karen Dummermuth
Best Rookie Team - Team Dees, Captain Terri Howell
Best Banner - Vic’s Chicks, Captain Cindi Kerschbaumer
Top Online Fundraising Team - Second Chance, Captain Ashley Williamson