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For breast cancer survivor, a labor of love

By Paulette Bolyard

Melinda Young-Imes will take a victory lap next month to mark her successful battle with cancer. She’s inviting other survivors to join her.

Young-Imes, manager of American Family Insurance agency at 2033 E. Warner, is one of nearly 400 participants expected in the annual Relay for Life.

Scheduled to begin 6 p.m. May 3 at Marcos De Niza High School track, the event is an overnight memorial and fund raiser sponsored by the American Cancer Society. It ends the following day at 9 a.m. “Cancer is something that touches the entire family. I do this because we can go on. Cancer is not the death sentence it used to be,” Young-Imes said. Relay for Life began in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash.

Teams of 10 to 15 participants form the relay so that a team member is always on the track throughout the night. Centered on the theme “Cancer Never Sleeps,” it’s a nation-wide event according to Sheryl Trautman, the Relay for Life director.

“This is something that goes on across the country. Cities throughout the Valley will be holding their own relays. It’s a premier fund raiser and celebration for the American Cancer Society,” Trautman said.

Besides raising money through pledges, the public can purchase a luminary to honor loved ones who have survived cancer or who have died from the disease. A ceremony takes place during the evening where  hundreds of luminaries  glow in the dark.

“It’s quite a sight. And very moving,” said Trautman. The cost of a memorial luminary is $5.

The highlight of the evening said Young-Imes is the initial lap.

“That first lap is walked by the survivors. We honor them and this relay  gives them the chance to meet other survivors. It’s all about recognizing hope,” she said.

Young-Imes was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. She was 36 years old.

“And it came interesting enough six weeks after my mother had died of reoccurring breast cancer. And four months after cancer took my mother-in-law’s life. My first thought was ‘I’m going to die,’ “ she recalled.

But Young-Imes didn’t die. Research funded by American Cancer Society has ultimately boosted the treatment options and survival rate. That’s why she continues to participate in the Relay for Life. Her volunteer position is to find and invite other cancer survivors to make that first lap.

The survivors who show up are also honored with a dinner, provided this year by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and receive a t-shirt. Young-Imes hopes up to 500 survivors will turn out. The key she said, is getting the word out about the all-night event.

The teams, Trautman pointed out, are made up of club members, church members, business and corporation employees, men and women and people of all ages. Over 20 teams have signed to participate so far this year.

Rachael Araneta is one of the younger relay participants. A senior at Corona del Sol High School, she will head the 16-member team from the school’s Key Club.

“It’s a great emotional experience besides being fun with food, games and lots of people,” Araneta said.

She also likes the idea of giving up a night’s sleep.

“Cancer doesn’t sleep. This is a fun way to help,” she added.

More information on the Tempe Relay for Life or to purchase a luminary is available by contacting Sheryl Trautman at the American Cancer Society office at (602) 224-0524, ext. 2040.

Information for cancer survivors who would like to attend the Tempe relay is available from Melinda Young-Imes at (480) 820-2020.

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