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Breast cancer patient Laurie Carlson (left) stands with friend and staunch supporter Scott Brummer (right), both of whom are co-captains for Team F.H.L. (Faith, Hope and Love) who are planning to participate in Lewis County’s Relay For Life on May 16.
Chemotherapy, radiation and the mere diagnosis of cancer can sap your strength, but one local woman has been imbued with the encouragement of her friends and, in the midst of treatment, is planning to participate in Lewis County’s upcoming Relay For Life.
Though Winlock resident Laurie Carlson had been diagnosed with breast cancer in January and is on the tail end of a five-month chemo regimen, she has been building a team with the help of friends, and is currently expecting to bring 17 racers to the track on May 16 as Team F.H.L. (Faith, Hope and Love).
“It rolled around in my head and I put it out on Facebook,” she said of the idea to participate, stating she had originally intended to contemplate in next year’s relay.
But her supporters said there’s no time like the present, especially in the midst of fighting a serious disease.
“When you’re currently battling cancer, there’s no time to wait for anything,” said friend and Team F.H.L. Co-Captain Scott Brummer, who said he and his son are expecting to run or walk the entire 24 hours of the relay and plan on finishing 50 miles apiece. “I personally am doubling up my leg day at Thorbeckes.”
And it is through miles that Carlson and her team hope to raise cancer awareness and funding for the American Cancer Society by asking donors to commit a certain amount per mile finished. She said she is not certain how many laps she will personally finish, but has been training day-by-day according to how well she feels.
Of those who have signed up to donate to their team, which include private individuals as well as local businesses, Carlson said she has been surprised to see how many decided to donate in the name of someone they know who has been affected by cancer.
“It’s amazing to me,” she said, mentioning, in her own family, she has lost a father and an uncle to cancer, as well as seen her mother and grandmother endure the disease.
Brummer said he is also encouraged to participate because of his brother-in-law’s ongoing struggle with brain cancer and a desire to support him.
“You’re getting involved because your life has been touched by someone who has survived it or passed on from it,” he said.
So far, Team F.H.L. is in the middle of the pack as far as donations gathered, which Brummer said is significant when looking at the bigger companies sponsoring large teams at the top of the list. But donors are able to commit to teams up until the day of the race, and Brummer said those locally who wish to support Team F.H.L. may do so by calling his business, Patriot Farms and Feed, at (360) 520-2847.
Positions on the team are also still available, and those who call prior to May 3 will have a chance to join. Carlson said current members have many varying physical capabilities and all are new to Relay For Life, so the inexperienced are welcome to offer their support.
The relay itself will start at 4 p.m. May 16 and conclude 4 p.m. May 17, and includes an opening ceremony, a survivor’s lap to start the race, a luminaria ceremony to support those who are currently battling or have lost their fight with cancer, and a closing ceremony.
The relay will be taking place at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds (2555 N National Ave., Chehalis) and those seeking more information can visit www.acsevents.org. Those wishing to donate online to Team F.H.L. can go to http://main.acsevents.org/goto/teamfhl.
The meaning for the name, according to a statement from the team, is in reference to 1 Corinthians 13:13, which states, “Now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love,” and the team says it is their intent to “show our love and give hope with our faith that we can do great things when we stand together.”
