Community unites for cancer relay

BAYBORO - In a small rural area such as Pamlico County there are plenty of friends among the 1,300 residents, especially among those who have been touched by cancer.

With the setting sun at their back, the white block letters SURVIVOR adorned the T-shirts of more than 100 survivors, who began the annual first lap of the Pamlico County Relay for Life. The group spread across the track's six lanes, stretching for 50 yards.

Gay Rice of Minnesott Beach was among them, a 2007 victim of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She was thankful for treatment facilities being as close as New Bern, where she had a lymph node removed and now is among those who wear the survivor shirts.

"We are so blessed to have them in our area, the New Bern Cancer Center," she said.

Amy Smith, a mother of three and a member of the Stonewall United Methodist Church team, said everyone was fortunate to have so much community support.

In 2008, the Pamlico Relay raised more money per capita for cancer research than any relay in the country.

"You come out and remember people you have lost, and you think of the hope that is here for the future, hope that we are working to raise money to find a cure," she said. "We are very passionate about the Relay in our family.

Her three daughters - Carey, Aiden and Bailey - collect change and keep it in a special Relay jar. Two years ago, Carey, then 8, sold crafts and donated the money to Relay. Friday night, Aiden, 7, and 4-year-old Bailey, handed out programs at the gate.

Smith said she was inspired by her survivor brother, Doug Carey.

"He had cancer and had treatments and never missed a day of work," she said. "He had chemotherapy the day of the Relay two years ago and he came and walked."

Relay for Life stories can be inspiring and there were more than a few tears mixed with the smiles and hugs Friday night.

Dustin Grimes of Reelsboro was cooking chicken on a large grill for Vandemere United Methodist Church, with the funds going to the Relay.

"I think it's a wonderful event," he said while turning leg-quarters over hot coals. "It's a good way to spread a lot of information about cancer and it raises a lot of awareness and a lot of money."

There were elements of community spirit, such as the food tent operated by Cindy Midyette, the pastor at Goose Creek Pentecostal Church, and Bethany Christian Church member Polly Surprenant.

"We've done it the past two years," Midyette said. "We're both small churches and we decided to join forces."

When the Relay began at 7 p.m., organizers said $71,000 had been raised, with more money expected before today's 11 a.m. closing ceremonies.