TELL THEM, “Betty Ann Sent You”
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We’ll be walking in our 10th “Relay for
Life” this coming weekend. A Tacoma oncologist, Dr Gordy Klatt, started the
whole thing solo, 25 years ago this year. He wanted more money for research
into the cause and cure of cancer. This has grown to be the largest fund
raising event in the world. And research has produced results every year.
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This will be a press-worthy year as thousands
will gather in Tacoma. The survivor’s lap that starts the event will be packed
with children, youth, men and women who have been treated or are being treated
and are survivors. Their families and friends will line the track to applaud
the walkers.
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The event is an inspiration to those
who have experienced that frightening diagnosis and varieties of treatments.
It is also an encouragement to everyone to get screening for potentially
treatable cancers, such as skin, colon, breast and prostate cancer (and others).
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As Betty Ann was coming to the end of
her life with colon cancer – which she blamed on herself for not getting
a colonoscopy – she told everyone she could to get tested and to say “Betty
Ann sent you.”
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If there was one unanimous word of advice
from the thousands walking in that survivor lap it would be “Get tested
early rather than later, and get tested regularly.” All the research
results from funds raised in these events is useless if people fail to follow
Betty Ann’s advice.
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We’ll contribute to light luminaries
for Betty Ann and others whose flame flickered out earlier than necessary.
We light flames of memory and also of hope.
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And we bless the many we know and care
about – quite a few reading this now, even a number in our beach community
– fighting the good fight, keeping the light of hope burning.
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And a supportive prayer is added for
those who live in the memory of losses. We walk for you too.
– Art Morgan June 9, 2009
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