Valley bonds to fight cancer

ROANOKE RAPIDS — Hundreds of cancer survivors, family members and

caregivers converged on the Manning Elementary School track Friday

evening to lend their support to those who continue to struggle with

the disease and pay homage to those who lost the battle in the 2009

Roanoke Valley Relay for Life.

As darkness arrived, rows of brilliantly lit luminarias lined the

track, each bag bearing the name of a loved one lost to cancer. Dorothy

O. Edmonds, owner of Dixie Screen Printing, was diagnosed with skin

cancer 10 years ago and has been active in the local Relay for Life

event ever since. Edmonds said this is her eighth year as the

chairperson in charge of lighting the luminarias. “I love working out

here helping to find a cure,” said Edmonds. “It’s so wonderful to see

everyone out walking. It means a lot to me.”

According to Edmonds there were more than 1,500 luminarias sold for

this year’s event, while 35 teams took place in the all night walk, up

from 21 last year. “It just gets bigger and bigger every year,” said

Edmonds.

Caregiver Sherrie Gupton, a nurse at Halifax Regional Medical Center,

said she treats cancer patients almost every day and sees the event as

“a way to give something back. I do mammograms all the time and my

biggest concern is for my little girl to grow up in a world where she

never has to hear the words ‘you have cancer.’”

Earlier in the night, during a special luminaria ceremony, Gupton

offered her comments on the true meaning of the event. “This is a time

we can join together and help loved ones find healing from their cancer

experience,” offered Gupton. “This is a time for us to grieve for those

lost, to look inside ourselves for quiet reflection and hope.” Gupton

said the participants shared a “common vision for a cancer free future.”

Following Gupton’s remarks, the praise dance team Give God the Glory

(G3) performed interpretive dance routines to the gospel songs “In

Better Hands Now” and “Precious Lamb of God” as the crowd lifted glow

sticks and sang along to the inspirational lyrics.

Also performing Friday night were local favorites The Willie Peebles

Band, a five-piece band from Jackson who performed a crowd-pleasing

blend of classic rock and blues.

Tents and booths set up by local churches and other organizations,

including the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the Church of Jesus Christ,

both of Roanoke Rapids, crowded the edges of the walking track, selling

drinks, funnel cakes, T-shirts and other items.

Relay for Life organizer  Judy Adams, who has been working with the

event since its inception 13 years ago, said she’s happy to do whatever

she can to help. “I just kind of bounce around and do everything,

whatever anyone needs.”  Adams said cancer has left an indelible mark

on those closest to her. “Like so many other people, I’ve been touched

by this disease — an aunt, an uncle, my sister- in- law, my best friend

in the world. I just want to do something to help fight this. I believe

with all my heart one day we will find a cure for this.”