After her mother was diagnosed with cancer, one Clarkston High schooler decided to do her part in finding a cure for this devastating disease.
Elizabeth DuShaw, who will be a senior this fall, has organized a 20-member team for the 2003 American Cancer Society Relay For Life, a 24-hour walk-a-thon event in Clarkston, July 19-20.
‘I wanted to do this not just for my mom, but for everyone who has been and will be diagnosed,? she said.
It was nearly a year ago, this August, that Lori, 44, had a mammogram that detected a possible problem. A core biopsy, a month later, determined, in fact, Lori had breast cancer.
‘I was devastated,? Lori said, a 15-year Springfield Township resident. ‘You automatically think the worst. You think you’re going to die.?
‘I cried,? Elizabeth said when she first heard the news. ‘I tried to be optimistic for her benefit. If you think the worst it’s hard to deal with it.?
As Lori was educated about the disease by her doctors, she said, ‘You learn to deal with it. You understand it isn’t a death sentence if it is caught early.?
Lori said there is no history of breast cancer in her family, but cancer has touched the family before. Her father had prostate cancer and her grandfather also had cancer.
In October, Lori had a lumpectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation.
Today, she said, ‘I feel real good now. I feel great and am trying to get back into the swing of things.? Lori’s back to full time work for an insurance company in Troy.
It was back in January, Elizabeth heard of Relay For Life.
As a member of the National Honor Society, a school service organization, Elizabeth volunteered to help in a community activity: a mystery dinner at the Independence Township Library. It was there that she met Carolyn Place, a Relay committee member and feature speaker at this year’s survivor ceremony. She was wearing a breast cancer pin, and Elizabeth noticed and told Place about her mother’s own struggle with the illness.
She asked Elizabeth if she’d ever heard of Relay. Elizabeth had not, but wanted to know more. She was put in touch with fellow committee member Sally Frank who got her signed up for the event.
Soon, Elizabeth formed her team, and dubbed it Celestial Courage, because Elizabeth and a lot of her friends on the team like ‘stars and moons and things like that.?
Then came fundraising. This is Elizabeth’s first charitable fundraising event.
‘Fundraising is so hard,? she said. ‘Especially at school. I’d say, (to students), ‘Come on, donate money, it’s for a really good cause.??
Elizabeth and co-captain Emily Clark raised $239 through a ribbon sale during lunch hour and a coin war between first hour classes. Whoever raised the most coins got a free breakfast party. ‘I was really glad for the support at school.?
At the actual event, Elizabeth will be selling her own creations, ‘bath fizzies that smell really good,? while Clark will be selling beaded pins she created.
‘It’s been a good experience for her in organizing people, coming up with ideas, coordinating and having to talk with so many people,? Lori, who has been married to Randy for 22 years and also has a son John, 11. ‘It’s been a good learning experience for her to go through.?
Of the relay, Elizabeth said, ‘I want everyone to come out. Not to sound corny, but Relay means hope for the future. The number one priority is to raise money for a cure.?
‘It also helps raise awareness in the community and gives support for survivors and family and friends who have lost someone to cancer. Because cancer is really an awful disease,? Lori said.
Relay For Life will be held at Clarkston Middle School, off Waldon Road, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19 and ending at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 20.
Jerri Fancher, a dedicated volunteer for Relay and a 24-year cancer survivor, said there are currently 30 teams signed up to participate in this year’s event, with more signing up daily.
Last year, with approximately the same number of teams, $97,000 was raised. This year the goal is $130,000.
Since the 2000 inaugural relay in Clarkston, the monies have continuously grown. In 2000, $34,000 was raised, and in 2001, $75,000.
‘Everyone is so busy these days, many don’t have time to give to others,? Fancher said. ‘This is a 24-hour event. It touches all forms of cancer. This isn’t just a breast cancer walk. This effects all cancer patients. If you only have a little bit of time to give, do it at Relay. It is such a great event.?
Relay brings in participants from surrounding communities, not just Clarkston, she noted. ‘As people who live in Clarkston we can be proud to say this event is hosted in Clarkston.?
For more information, call Jennifer at (248) 483-4304. Also visit www.clarkstonrelayforlife.org.