Laurel Highlands turned into village of hope
The grounds of Laurel Highlands High School have been turned into a village of hope for the weekend for the 12th annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life. More than 1,000 people were expected on the school grounds for the fund-raising event that runs through 3:30 this afternoon. According to event organizer Barb Yalich Fike, 54 teams were registered for this year’s relay, with a fund-raising goal of $200,000. Fike said last year’s event raised more than $183,000.
“We have a team that just joined us a month ago. They sponsored a golf outing and raised $20,000,” Fike said.
Team Hoops, Shooting for a Cure, has been highly motivated, according to David W. Mahoskey, whose 15-year-old son, David M. Mahoskey, has been cancer free for 10 months.
“It wasn’t your regular golf outing. David made it memorable with his speech. Everyone knew it was for a really good cause. We’re committed to him and he’s committed to this,” Mahoskey said. “If we had more time, we could do more.”
Mahoskey said the team of more than 25 friends and family members has raised an additional $5,000 since the golf outing by holding raffles and a basketball shoot against his son.
“He loves basketball. That’s how they discovered his tumor,” Mahoskey said. “He fell and he got a lump below his knee. He went back for a second time for an X-ray and they found the tumor.”
Mahoskey said the cancerous portion of bone was removed and replaced with a cadaver bone. He’s now in intensive physical therapy.
“He’s got about 75 percent of the bone healed,” Mahoskey said. “We’ve had our miracle.”
David M. Mahoskey was one of more than 160 cancer survivors honored during the opening ceremonies Saturday evening. Following the presentation of the flag by an honor guard from Fayette County Vietnam Veterans Inc., each survivor’s name was read aloud and they took their place on the track for the survivors’ lap.
“They get all the recognition we can give them,” Fike said. We try to make them feel as special as possible.”
Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites was part of the ceremony, offering words of encouragement.
“Today we are here to support our family, friends and co-workers who have battled cancer. We can’t walk in your shoes, but we can walk ahead, beside and behind you. You will not walk alone,” Vicites said.
Survivor Ambassador Maryellen Gumro of Uniontown encouraged the survivors to share their stories to encourage other’s living with cancer and to raise awareness in the community.
“All of us survivors have a story to tell. No matter how many times we tell it, we’re always telling it to someone for the first time,” Gumro said.
Cancer survivor Jay Fields and his son Lucas Fields of Uniontown sang “Hero” as part of the opening ceremonies as some of the survivors and those in the crowd struggled with teary eyes. Survivor Debbie McClelland of Brownsville said she is always struck by the effect cancer has on families.
“When I look out at the crowd, I look at the young ones and the ones I know have small children,” McClelland said. “The first walk I did, they sang “Wind Beneath My Wings.” That was the first year after my treatments. Twelve years later, it still gets to you.”
The relay program included a silent lap and the lighting of luminaria Saturday evening in memory of those who succumbed to cancer. One Uniontown family has raised about $95,000 for the American Cancer Society over the past seven years through the Relay for Life.
“Our daughter passed away at 38 from pancreatic cancer. ‘Denise R. Smiley’ is our team” said her mother, Janet Yniguez. “My son-in-law in New York usually has a golf outing.”
Her husband, Polo Yniguez said he also raises funds through Sensus Business Systems where he works. The team also has a corporate sponsor.
“Our team sponsor is Hibbs Awning.
The owner is Jack Cole. He lost a son at 5 years old to cancer about two years ago,” Polo Yniguez said.
The Relay for Life continues today starting with a sunrise service at 6 a.m. and continues with a wide variety of activities for all ages until the closing ceremonies at 3:30 p.m.