More birthdays for more survivors was the theme of this year’s Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

Cancer survivors, families and friends gathered Friday evening on the track at Goochland Elementary School for the annual Relay for Life.

During the Opening Ceremonies Honorary Chair Shawn Coffey spoke about her experiences with breast cancer.

Coffey, who underwent a bilateral mastectomy in 2008, said she had to think hard when she was approached to speak at the Opening Ceremonies.

“I kept thinking, what is my story?” said Coffey. “My story really isn’t any more significant, any more life-changing, than anyone else who has ever been told ‘You have cancer.’”

“You know what it’s like to feel the fear associated with that news and how in that split second it changes your life,” said Coffey.

“It’s about living your story. It’s about what you do when given a second chance,” said Coffey, who shared a few of the all too familiar events, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hair loss, that many of her listeners had also experienced.

“I’m physically changed, but I am better on the inside than I have ever been in my life,” said Coffey.

“I look at people differently,” she said, “and I see a beauty in them that maybe wasn’t quite so clear before.”

Active for years in scouting (her husband Dickie is Camping Director at Brady Saunders), Coffey recalled the Scout Oath, where the tenth point is “A Scout is brave.”

“Bravery is about facing your fears so that fear does not control your life,” she said.

“God truly answered my prayers,” said Coffey. “He gave me a second chance.”

Among the survivors who took part in the survivors lap was Leslie Parrish, former Chief Deputy in the Goochland Sheriff’s Office, who was diagnosed with oral cancer in 1996.

Eleven years later, after surgery and radiation treatment, he said he’s doing fine. “But it’s always in the back of your mind,” he said.

Another cancer survivor, Dottie Holcomb, who has suffered through two bouts with an extremely rare cancer called Lyomeiosarcoma, said she had just received news that her latest CAT scan was clear.

“I feel blessed because I’m a double survivor,” said Holcomb.

Marc Jones, a nine-year prostate cancer survivor, offered this advice: “If you don’t think something is right, get it checked out by the doctor.”

Goochland Relay director Valerie Pace said that as of Friday night, the Goochland Relay had raised almost $50,000 toward its goal of $70,000.

“It’s unbelievable, she told the crowd before the Survivors Lap. “We’ve never raised more than $20,000 by this point before.

As this point in the fundraising, the top three teams were the Mt. Gilead Purple Hearts, the Corinth Crusaders and the Perkins Pluggers, said Pace.

Pace reminded Relay participants and spectators that help is always available from the American Cancer Society at 1 800 ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org

Photo by Ken Odor
Former Chief Deputy Sheriff Leslie Parrish is a survivor of oral cancer.