Relay for Life: One person’s story

It is vital for Janet Martin to talk honestly to her students about her fight with cancer. Janet Martin was initially diagnosed with pre-cancer in the year 1986. Three years following, she was faced with her 1st bout with the illness. Janet lived. The previous April, Janet had surgery performed again following an additional diagnosis of cancer – her 4th in twenty-one years. Again, Janet Martin lived.

Janet Martin was a part of the ABC Gang from Miami Trace Elementary school that gave a huge $13,500 donation to the American Cancer Society – the largest amount of any association at the current year’s Relay event. The 2010 Relay For Life was open at 6 p.m. on Friday evening at the Washington High School with a small ceremony, following a Survivor’s Lap. After the Survivor’s Lap, many of the survivors – dressed in purple T-shirts – went to the gym for a unique supper made in their honor. Janet remained to run a second lap with her team members as every one of the teams were honored. Many of Janet’s close teachers and even a couple of students exercised as members of the ABC Gang.

Walton, like so many of the members of the Relay For Life, has had a time with cancer in her life with the death of her granddad and her spouse’s brother-in-law. She announced that the ABC Gang’s fundraising plans were so helpful due to the student body, much of whom have also had experiences with cancer.