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Weather doesn’t deter survivors, Relay teams

Walkers take shelter under umbrellas during the Relay For Life of the Cove on Friday afternoon. Rain may have dampened the Roaring Spring Athletic Field and Relay participants, but it didn’t dampen their spirits, organizers said. The Relay began at 1 p.m. Friday and will wrap up this morning at 8 a.m. / Mirror photo by Holly Claycomb

ROARING SPRING — Thanks to her beautician’s sharp eyes, Krystal Disney’s melanoma was caught early and now last year’s Relay For Life of the Cove ambassador can say she’s been cancer free for six years.

Disney, with the support of family and friends under their Relay team banner of Circle of Friends, handed off the ambassador’s title and duties to Deb Mellott during Friday’s Relay For Life of the Cove at the Roaring Spring Athletic Field.

The Relay — with the theme “Winter Wonderland. Let’s freeze cancer in its tracks” — continues throughout the night and wraps up with closing ceremonies at 8 a.m. today. At that time, organizers will announce how much money was raised for the American Cancer Society during this year’s event — the Cove’s 17th Relay.

Mellott, of Roaring Spring, also credits early detection for her survival, noting she was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002 and breast cancer in 2011.

When she began bruising easily for no apparent reason 16 years ago, Mellott went to her doctor. Within 45 minutes of a blood test, the doctor called her at home with the news no one wants to hear, she said. After treatment and a stem cell transplant, Mellott’s cancer went into remission, and she was considered cancer-free. Then, just one year shy of the 10-year mark, a mammogram detected what she and her doctor failed to notice, a lump in her breast.

After a lumpectomy and radiation, Mellott is again considered cancer-free.

Both Mellott and Disney said cancer is prevalent in their families and they promote early detection, regular mammograms and self-awareness as important weapons in the fight against the disease.

Sharing stories, raising cancer awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society is what Relay For Life of the Cove is all about, said Travis Russell, one of the organizers for this year’s event.

With more than a dozen teams registered to take part in the Relay, it’s hoped the goal of more than $96,000 will be reached and exceeded, despite the nearly endless rain that dampened the field, but not the spirits of those taking part in the activities.

“Last year was rainy, too, but not as much,” Russell said, noting last year’s Cove Relay “broke our goal and it was raining the whole time.”

“We like to get the community out and raise awareness,” Russell said, noting that rain doesn’t stop people from coming out to support the teams by purchasing food and basket raffle tickets. A bounce house and children’s games also helps bring the community to the field where team members take turns walking around the quarter-mile track throughout the evening and into the night and early morning hours.

Russell said he has walked on teams in the past and has been one of the organizers for several years now, noting he stays involved as a tribute to his father, Chuck Russell, and grandfather, Ralph Glass, who both passed away from cancer.

So while the rain does cause some events to be moved under cover of a huge tent, it doesn’t stop people from taking part because everyone knows someone who has had or who is currently fighting cancer, Russell, Disney and Mellott said.

“We appreciate all of the community support we get,” Russell added.

Tim Guyer said he didn’t even know what Relay was until about eight years ago, when a friend and loved one was diagnosed with cancer.

Since then, he’s jumped on board and also helps organize the yearly event.

“Everyone works together” to make the Relay a success, he said, and “it doesn’t stop” for the rain.

“The weather is in God’s hands,” he added. “We’re here to celebrate, remember and fight back and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Guyer credits the Cove community with the Relay’s continued success, noting “we have a good strong community.”

“We can deal with the rain,” he said. “We’re kinda going with the flow.”

Nancy Barnett of Curryville has been active with the Cove Relay for all 17 years, first through a team from work and now with the Circle of Friends. Barnett has “cancer on all sides of my family. I have a lot of relatives who have died of cancer or are cancer survivors,” including her daughter, Disney.

The Friends team has raised more than $5,000 for this year’s Relay and has about 25 registered members, Barnett said.

Disney, who was diagnosed with melanoma after having an unusually colored mole removed, said she and the entire family now take great pains to cover up and wear sunblock when outside. And, she is going to Pittsburgh to be tested for the gene that causes cancer — something that might help her children and grandchildren in the future.

Both mother and daughter think Relay “is a great event to support everyone” and credit their faith in God as helping them through both good and trying times.

The Unforgettables have been taking part in the Relay for four years and have 17 registered team members. Their Whoville-themed tent drew children and adults alike looking for a bite to eat. Through fundraisers, the team raised more than $1,700 before the food sales were tallied, members said.

Amanda Shaw, one of the team captains, said several family members have battled cancer.

“It’s personal for everybody,” said her grandmother, Margaret Durica.

At the Appvion Spring Mill tent, where Mellott is a team member, organizers said they expect their final tally to be $20,000 or $25,000. Last year, the team topped $30,000, having spent the year between Relays raising funds.

“Cancer affects everyone,” Mellott said. Relay is where “people can come and celebrate those who’ve survived and honor those who’ve passed away.”

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