Sunrise at the Stadium – Relay for Life participants greet the new day with hope
By Jennifer Kneuss
June 6, 2011
296
Summary:
When the sun came up over Dovers Crater Stadium on Saturday, June 4, dozens of walkers were already on the track, with some of them having never left since the annual Relay for Life walk had begun at 6 pm on Friday evening. Survivors and friends and families of those who had fought the courageous battle against cancer gathered to continue the fight.
Michael Mike Warren Taylor of New Philadelphia is only in his mid forties, but he has met a huge challenge and overcome it. As he completed yet another lap around Dovers Crater Stadium track on Saturday, June 4, in his 13th hour straight participating in the Relay for Life walk, the sun was just rising over the horizon. It seemed symbolic of the hope that exuded from Taylor, who was diagnosed with cancer in July of 2010, as he spoke.
I started at 6 pm 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 didnt 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. Its like a second family. You just have such a mutual respect, commented the walker, as he paused to remember. There were people in a lot worse shape than I was. They dont give up, they dont quit. Theyre 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 Ive 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 its not worth it. It really isnt. 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 am 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 Im 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 Gods 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. Thats 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 collection donations.
Best Camp Site - Dover Schools, Captain Terri Miller
Best Cancer Control Message - UPS - Delivering Hope, Captain Lynzee Abel
Most Spirtied 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 On-line Fund Raising Team - Second Chance, Captain Ashley Williamson
