 As honorary chairs, these two led the first lap around the track on
Saturday night. Behind them were all those who are celebrating one
more birthday -- the survivors of cancer. Some are still battling
the disease, some have made it through the fire and are celebrating
a time of being cancer-free, but all have a kinship, a bond that no
one else can fully comprehend. They are fighters who won't let
cancer get in the way of living their lives to the fullest.
Honorary co-chair Robin Ingram
The first honorary chair, Robin Ingram, knows what that fight is
all about. In February of 2012, she was diagnosed with Stage 4
cancer, a malignant brain tumor. At the time of her diagnosis,
doctors told her that in cases such as hers, life expectancy is less
than one year.
As Steve Sauer, the master of ceremonies for the evening, read
Ingram's biography, he noted, "But they didn't know Robin." She is
now a 16-month survivor.
In her biography, Ingram and her family composed the following
statements:
"After rounds of
radiation, chemotherapy treatments, numerous hospital stays, an
incident of pancreatitis, 5 surgeries including a craniotomy in
August to remove part of the tumor, which doctors got 95 percent of,
Robin is still standing strong. Today marks 16 months post
diagnosis.
"She could not have
fought this battle without her awesome support team. Her husband
Duane immediately became her at home nurse, administering
medications and scheduling doctor's appointments. Duane has been her
rock through this journey.
"They have two
children. Holly and her husband Wayne live near Athens; John and his
wife Lindsey along with daughter Kinzie reside in Florida. They also
have been wonderful caretakers for Robin doing whatever they can to
help out.
"Robin's support
system doesn't stop with her immediate family. Numerous other family
and friends have been there all along the way. The employees of
Kroger, where Robin worked for many (years) have been wonderful. The
nurses at Memorial Medical Center, the many doctors and surgeons
that Robin has dealt with have all been wonderful.
"It is impossible
to list every single person who has been there along the way. Robin
and her family would like to thank the American Cancer Society for
the support and services they have offered. They would also like to
thank the co-chairs of this year's Relay for Life for allowing them
to serve as honorary co-chairs for this year's event. It is truly,
truly is an honor."
[to top of second column] |
 Honorary co-chair Bill Post
The second co-chair, Bill Post, is a different kind of hero. He
is one who has dedicated himself to volunteering each year for the
Relay For Life. His work focus is on collecting the names for the
numerous luminarias that line the track at each year's event.
Relay For Life was originated in the mid-1980s by one man, Dr.
Gordy Klatt, who spent a 24-hour period walking the track of Baker
Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., raising
money and awareness for the American Cancer Society. As he walked
the track, he thought of how this could develop into something with
relay teams who walked to raise money. In his one action, he proved
that one man can make a difference.
In Logan County, Relay For Life events began in 1998 at the
Lincoln Park District Rec Center. Post attended that first event as
a spectator and supporter, but like the good doctor who began this
tradition, Post went on to be one man who made a difference. He has
been serving as a vital member of this event ever since.
Post began volunteering in September of that first year. He has
served on the Logan Relay For Life board as well as the regional
board. Each year he attends Relay University, where folks gather to
share ideas for fundraising.
Sauer read from Post's biography:
"Bill also has been
serving as luminary chair since 2003. He has volunteered for several
occasions in Springfield and has also represented the American
Cancer Society at the Logan County Health Fair each year."
Sauer ended by saying: "A big 'thank-you' to you, Bill, for your
many years of hard work and dedication to the American Cancer
Society."
Each year Post is responsible for collecting money and names for
the luminarias. At the Relay event, each donor has a luminaria bag
sitting on the track. The name of the donor or donors and those they
are honoring are written on each bag.
When darkness fell on the parking lot of Lincoln College's
Lincoln Center Friday night, the luminarias were lit. During the
luminaria lap, beginning at 9 p.m., Post carefully and patiently
read the names of each donor and their honoree. This year there were
over 1,000 to be read, a task that took about an hour to complete.
[By NILA SMITH]
Relay For Life of Logan County |
