For Columbus resident Curley Williams, it was just another day. She was pushing a cart at a local grocery store, purchasing bulk items for the business she owns, Children First Day Care. As her cell phone began to ring, Williams had no idea her life was about to change forever.
“I lost it; I had a complete breakdown in the store,” Williams said, recalling the day she was informed she had breast cancer. “I went downhill after that. I could hardly leave my house for six months. I just stayed in. It was devastating. I just could not understand why God was doing this to me.”
Dressed in a purple T-shirt with the word “Survivor” printed on the back, Williams, 52, was in good spirits Friday, laughing with family and friends, as she joined numerous cancer survivors at the 2012 Lowndes County Relay for Life.
Williams had much cause for celebration, as she has been cancer-free for more than nine years. She credits finding the cancer to her son, Justin Jones, who was born when she was 41.
“I had my son late in life; I also have a 30 year old daughter,” she said. “After I had Justin, I went to the doctor for my one year check up. I had never had a breast examination before. I thought nothing about it. But they found something in my breast tissue.”
Williams said she underwent treatment for the cancer and eventually had to have a complete mastectomy. After some reconstructive surgery, Williams’ body was free of cancer, and her “second life” had begun.
“I am thankful for the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. I could be dead, but I’m not. Every day is truly a blessing. But I encourage women to get a mammography. Early detection saved my life.”
Williams’ story was one of many success stories at the annual Relay for Life, held on the track at Columbus High School from 6 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday. Although cancer is usually associated with hushed voices, fear and sadness, Relay for Life was anything but a somber event. With families enjoying praise music, games, children playing and the smells of meat cooking on grills, the event had the atmosphere of a small carnival.
Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life is a fundraising event, with teams composed of community members who raise money by selling luminarias and hosting an array of fundraising events prior to Relay for Life and by selling various goods or services the night of the main event. The money raised is given to the American Cancer Society, where it is funneled back into the community for those stricken with cancer.
The event raised approximately $143,000. Though the goal was $154,000, more money is expected to come in after the event. According to a board member, $110,000 had been raised as of Tuesday night, meaning about $33,000 was raised from that night until Saturday at 6 a.m. The event raised $140,000 in 2011.
While official numbers have not been calculated, event coordinators said the event was highly successful.
“We had 60 teams this year, which is even larger than last year,” Lowndes County Relay co-chair Mott Ellis said. “There were more than 800 team members. We predict thousands of people participated over the course of the 12 hours.”
Police estimated attendance at approximately 5,000 people in addition to the 800 team members.
The 2012 Relay held numerous activities including a dove release, a victory lap for cancer survivors and a luminaria ceremony, which honors both survivors and those who have succumbed to the disease. Representatives from the 60 teams were on the track, walking laps continuously for the event’s duration.
Kathy Parker said she and he husband, Dewayne, never thought much about Relay for Life. But when Dewayne was diagnosed with lung cancer, things changed for the Columbus family.
“We didn’t think about Relay for Life or any of this before Dewayne got cancer. But now, we are very supportive of this. I was terrified when we found out. When your hear the word cancer, you automatically think of death.”
Cancer-free for eight years, Dewayne has returned to work as a diesel mechanic.
“Cancer took half of one of my lungs,” he said. “But I’m still here and that’s what this night is all about.”
Relay For Life began in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer, according to cancer.org, the ACS website. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, circled the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, for 24 hours for a total of more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer.
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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