ATHENS-As the City of Athens Relay for Life Team prepares for its Swamp John’s fundraiser on December 14, it also struggles with good and bad news about team members and co-workers.
One team member received a good report after having a skin cancer removed, while another who has already battled breast cancer waits for surgery and more tests to see what cancer she must battle next.
A team member’s dad received a report his cancer has returned and more chemo is needed, while a team member’s daughter found out her PET scan revealed there is “no sign of the disease.”
“It has truly been a week of ups and downs for all of us,” Athens Relay Team Captain Holly Hollman said on Thursday. “I email our team updates on everyone. Many times, as adults we have a hard time expressing what all of these emotions make us feel. That’s when I remembered a precious
Thanksgiving card that summed it up perfectly.”
Hollman said the team member whose daughter got the all clear has been out-of-state with her daughter several months as the daughter underwent chemo. Her last treatment was the day after Thanksgiving.
Athens Intermediate School student EllaGrace Sampieri, Hollman’s niece and daughter of Justin and Jennifer Sampieri, was one of the people in the community who sent cards of encouragement. EllaGrace’s Thanksgiving card said, “Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving!” Then EllaGrace added her own touch. She drew a pumpkin and heart and wrote these words, “I hope your daughter will punch cancer in the face. Love, Sissy (her nickname).”
“Doesn’t that pretty much say what we are all feeling when it comes to cancer?” Hollman asked. “We just want to punch cancer in the face. Leave it to a child to break down our complicated emotions into a simple statement. I shared that with our Relay Team. We continue to fight for the wins, support our survivors and honor those taken too soon. Every prayer, every card, every call, every penny raised makes a difference. Let’s keep that going. Let’s punch cancer in the face.”
The city team will work on the fundraising aspect of punching cancer in the face on Tuesday, Dec. 14, with its Swamp John’s Supper. The event will be at the Athens Senior Center on Pryor Street from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $11 and are available at City Hall or by calling 256-233-8730.
There will also be ticket sales at the door. Plates are chicken, shrimp, fish or combo. All the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.
