Magical courage - 2015 Relay for Life kickoff
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on January 30, 2015 1:46 PM
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Anna Beth Sanderson's necklaces hang below her waist when she puts them on.
The colorful, mismatched beads on the strands tell a story.
Each is a battle and a triumph.
On Thursday night at the Relay for Life 2015 Kick Off Celebration at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church, 8-year-old Anna Beth and her mother, Kim, took the stage to talk about the battles in front of 150 people.
Anna Beth is the Youth Honorary Chair this year.
She wore a sparkly blue Elsa dress from the movie "Frozen," made for her in Arendelle by Princess Anna and Elsa and brought to her during a stay in the hospital.
She has spent much of her last three years in hospitals.
Anna Beth was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis as a toddler. Called NF1 for short, it causes brown birthmarks and tumors on her body.
"We call them sugar spots," Kim said.
In 2012, Kim discovered a knot on Anna Beth's chest. She was moody and developed an under the arm odor, which is unusual in a six year old.
Anna Beth had a malignant optic glioma tumor, which was pressing on the eye nerves. It is inoperable.
She began extensive chemotherapy treatments.
"She had beautiful, long blonde hair down to her hips," Kim said, crying. Her husband, Chris, joined them on stage to give Kim strength as she finished the story of Anna Beth's treatment.
The family kept the 12 inches of blonde hair.
"It was her first haircut," Kim said. She wiped the tears from her eyes.
On New Year's Eve, Anna Beth underwent her last chemo treatment. Her mom posted a video of her, in her Elsa dress saying "I'm going to Let it Go, I love you," on her special Standing with Anna Beth Sanderson Facebook page.
Although Anna Beth still goes to regular appointments, physical therapy and checkups, she is stable.
Survivors Phyllis Moore and Sam Lane join Anna Beth as Honorary Chairs for the 2015 Relay for Life of Wayne County, held May 15 and 16.
"Cancer isn't funny," Ms. Moore said. "But I am."
She inspired the audience with her quirky and humorous outlook on beating breast cancer.
"We're going to laugh every single day," she told her husband, Ron, at the beginning of her battle.
From her celebration of a free tote bag full of information on her diagnosis to method acting with her red-headed wig, Phyllis kept the audience laughing.
She was followed by the optimistic, steady Sam Lane.
His battle with throat cancer began a year ago.
"There's a reason they call it fighting cancer," he said. "That's what you do."
He credits his wife, Judy, with keeping him looking at the bright side of things.
When he was diagnosed, she told him "you can beat this, you could have been hit by a bus."
And that is what he was doing.
All three survivors gave credit to prayer and their faith, family and friends. They were followed with standing ovations. It was an evening of celebration and giving thanks.
The kickoff theme was "A Night in the '80s -- Together we can be rad and find a cure."
Local talent Margo Smith and Casey Sutton entertained guests with renditions of popular songs like "Don't Stop Believing" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart."
Kim Lancaster, a seven-year survivor, spoke with the audience about her journey with faith. Her prayer warriors, the "Palms of Praise" Youth Group at the Heart of David Ministries, performed a lyrical dance to "I Praise You in the Storm."
Wilber's Barbecue catered the event.
Brenda Robinson emceed the evening. This year will be the 21st anniversary of Relay in Wayne County.
She highlighted last year's accomplishments and introduced the committees dedicated to making this year's Relay for Life the best one yet.
This year, Relay participants are challenged to "Pack the Track," a competition between teams to have the highest percentage of participants before Feb. 3.
"It's not too late to join us," Mrs. Robinson said.
Guest speaker Bob Schechner spoke with the guests about joining the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network as advocates.
Since moving to North Carolina in 2007, he has been active in petitioning legislation for cancer patients' rights and prevention methods, including tanning bed ages and smoke-free restaurants.
He told the audience about the first restaurant he went to after moving.
"A big cloud of smoke came out of the front door," he said. The hostess asked him if he wanted a smoking section or non-smoking section. He compared it to a pool with a peeing section or non-peeing section.
He joined the efforts of Smoke Free NC, with a postcard campaign. Two years of constant pressure later, and the tobacco capital went smoke-free in bars and restaurants in 2009.
Currently, Schechner is advocating to eliminate the price discrepancy between pill and hospital chemotherapy treatments. He brought petitions for the audience to sign.
"We need your voice," he said.
The evening was closed by a prayer by Lillie Green.
"Let others join the fight," she said. "Let them help us finish the fight."