Features Editor

Feb. 29, 2000 11 PM

The word that takes the fear out of cancer is "survivor."

And, because of research and education, the two words are being spoken together more frequently than ever before. Cancer survivor – words of hope and words of promise.

Cancer survivors are the ones who have faced the foe, fought the fight – and won. They are heroes in every sense of the word and the Pike County Chapter of the American Cancer Society will honor them in a special way at this year’s Relay for Life event May 19.

"We want to honor each cancer survivor’s victory in the fight against cancer with a special tee shirt to wear as they lead the first lap in a Celebration of Life at Relay," said Kaye Jinright, survivor committee chairperson. "The tee shirts have a special design that is different from the other Relay for Life shirts and they are free to all cancer survivors who contact us with their name and tee shirt size."

To further honor cancer survivors who participate in the opening ceremony, each survivor’s name will be announced and their family members will be asked to join them in their victory walk.

In addition to participating in the opening ceremonies on Relay for Life day, all cancer survivors are invited to a Survivors’ Breakfast which again is being sponsored by Boutwell Floor Covering.

The breakfast will be held the morning of Relay at Park Memorial United Methodist Church.

"The Survivors’ Breakfast last year was a great success," Jinright said. "Everyone enjoyed being together and celebrating life. We are looking forward to gathering again this year and hope that every cancer survivor will make plans to join us for this very special time."

Parking passes for cancer survivors will be issued at the breakfast. These passes are good for reserved parking at Relay and golf cart shuttles will run between the survivors’ parking place and the Relay field.

"At this time, we need to get the names and shirt sizes of all cancer survivors so that we can get the tee shirts ordered by the middle of next week so they will be here in time for Relay," Jinright said. "We are asking everyone to call us with this information as soon as possible."

The numbers to call are Kaye Jinright at 566-1533 in Troy and Nedetria Talbot at 735-2759 in Brundidge.

The American Cancer Society is THE nationwide volunteer health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives from cancer and diminishing suffering from cancer – through research, education, advocacy and service.