By Courtney Taylor
news@wbcowqel.com
The front line in the fight against cancer moved to Wynford High School this weekend where the annual Crawford County Relay for Life event was held.
People with cancer of all types and their loved ones gathered to show support and raise funds in a fun way. There was music, food, games, and even a performance from Eagle Dance Center. And of course, the relays.
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 39.6 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes. While numbers like those are indicative of the fact that cancer will touch one or another, it is the personal stories that bring impact of the disease closer to home.
One of the dancers performing was 13- year-old Melanie Wheeler, who is also living with cancer. Melanie was diagnosed with myxopapillary ependymoma in 2015. You wouldn’t be able to tell, however, based on her high energy and how she was dancing laps around the track. Melanie has not let her diagnosis slow her down in the slightest, and that’s what makes her such an inspiration to everyone who knows her.
Also participating was Melanie’s grandmother, Jean Wheeler, 64. This was extra special to the family because Jean is a cancer survivor herself. Diagnosed with cervical cancer in the 1970s, Jean had correctional surgery and has been cancer free ever since. Though this is only Melanie’s second year participating in Relay For Life as someone with cancer, she’s done multiple walks with her grandmother prior.
“Though they’re two very different
kinds of cancer, this is something we can still take part in together,” said Jean.
Jessica Palenshus is an event head this year, and is close to the cause due to the mutliple family members she has that have been taken by cancer or survived it. She said the fundraising goal for this year is $70,000, and while they’re not quite there yet, the fundraising will continue until Aug. 31.
You can learn more about the effects on cancer, Relay For Life, and how you can donate at www.relayforlife.org.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2017 Relay for Life