Published: June 19, 2009 11:58 pm      

Relay for Life

Cancer victims recalled at fundraiser

OAK HILL — “Donald Hogg, loving husband to Ruth Hogg, married March 8, 1958.”

“Our beloved Elizabeth.”

“My wonderful husband, Bob Elder.”

Greathie Thompson. Diana Eckles.

All of them lost their lives to cancer, and they were among hundreds who were memorialized at the 2009 Fayette County Relay for Life in Oak Hill Friday night and early this morning. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

According to Darrell Hughes, chairperson for Fayette County Relay for Life, the 23 teams participating in the event topped the 2008 total of $56,206 on Tuesday.

“Our goal was $45,000,” he said. “As of (Thursday) night, we had over $59,000.

“We had $400 to $500 come tonight.”

Hughes issued a challenge: If Fayette County raises $80,000, he would dye his black hair blond.

“I put it out there,” he said. “I expect them to have $80,000 or close to it.

“Fayette County should be really proud.”

The teams set up different stations along the football field at Oak Hill High School. Food and drinks were sold at different stations.

Sisters Janice Brown, 50, of Scarbro, Cynthia Lambert, 44, and Donna Whitlow of Charleston walked to remember their father and older brother, both of whom they lost to cancer, and their sister, a breast cancer survivor.

The sisters and others on their team, named Millie’s Kids in honor of their mother, planned to stay the night.

Whitlow also walked in honor of her friend, 55-year-old Betty Evans of Cleveland.

Brown and Whitlow both walked in honor of Lambert, who is a breast cancer survivor.

“My biggest concern was if I could take care of my mom,” she said.

Lambert was caring for her mother, who’d had a heart attack, and also had her daughter and granddaughter to care for, she said.

“I’ve had great support,” she said. “A lot of family, good bosses.”

She said her employer, Mountain State Regular Veterans Association 57, donated $2,000 to Relay for Life.

Shana Pennington, 16, walked to honor Lambert and to remember her cousin, Dakota Bradford, who succumbed to cancer at age 8.

Doreen Workman of Hamilton, Burgess, Young and Pollard law firm walked to remember her stepfather, Gordon C. Mace.

“There’s so many people that pass away from cancer, so many people that suffer because of cancer,” she said. “(Relay) is a wonderful cause to get involved in.”

She said a co-worker, Sherrill Patrick, is a breast cancer survivor.

“The office supports us so much,” she said. “(The firm) let us go early on Friday when Relay starts.

“The gave $1,000 up front to be a corporate sponsor and make other donations.”

Carlos Coleman, 81, and Dreama Coleman of Fayetteville walked to remember Carlos Coleman’s daughter, Diana Meadows.

Meadows passed away two months ago from breast and brain cancer, Coleman said.

Dreama recalled that Meadows was well educated, with two bachelor of science degrees and a master’s degree.

“Her focus in life was helping other people,” Dreama Coleman said, adding Meadows worked with children and senior citizens and married couples during her career.

She was married to David Meadows of Oak Hill and was a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church.

“She was one great person, is all I can say,” Coleman said. “The biggest thing I’d like to see is a cure for this very dreadful disease.

“That would be my prayer to the good Lord, for a cure to come a long for it.”

Communities Re-Unite spokeswoman Margo Christian Brooks said her group came to show support for Rachel Wright, a cancer survivor, and Wright’s sister and caregiver, Marinda Wright.

Marinda Wright serves on the board of directors for Communities Re-Unite, a nonprofit association aimed at reuniting African-American communities in Fayette County.

“(Relay) is a great event,” Brooks said. “It’s something we should support.”

— E-mail: jfarrish@register-herald.com