Ohio County Relay For Life Continues Support For Cancer Patients, Survivors
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BETHLEHEM -- Sam Coleman knows just how much the support of others can mean for someone battling cancer.
Coleman has been cancer-free for 15 years after being treated for kidney cancer. During that fight, she said the help she received from her family couldn’t be put into words.
“My cousin came and stayed with me for two weeks and took care of me,” she said. “My siblings live here and they came and did things for me. My nephew took me to Cleveland for my doctor’s appointments. For some reason, I always knew I would be fine.”
Coleman was among the cancer survivors at Bethlehem Community Park for Friday’s Ohio County Relay For Life, an annual event that honors cancer survivors and current patients while raising money for cancer research.
Relay For Life is a walk that started in Tacoma, Washington, in 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours for cancer awareness. Communities across the country now join in that mission and Bethlehem was no different.
The first laps of the walk are led by the cancer survivors in attendance. Coleman was in front holding the “Survivor” banner, with the other survivors following behind.
Sarah Martin, the event lead for the Ohio County Relay For Life, said the event may be smaller but remains mighty. She said one volunteer who attends Relays across West Virginia said Ohio County’s was his favorite.
“I asked why it was his favorite,” she said. “And he said that it’s just really personal. And that’s what we want it to be — personal, so (the survivors) know we care about them.”
Friday’s Bethlehem event featured craft tables, basket raffles and food sales, with proceeds going toward cancer research.
“We have a good time,” Martin said. “And that’s what matters, that (the survivors) feel special.”
It was a special night for Coleman, who had her entire family around her Friday. The support she felt from them makes her want to join in supporting others.
“It’s just nice to be able to give back, because I had a lot of help,” she said. “My family helped me out during my time of cancer, and it’s nice to be able to raise money so other people have the opportunity to get the help they need.”