The Daily News

After 11 years of participating in Relay for Life, Wahpeton resident Jodie Waclaw speaks from personal experience when she says it gives cancer patients hope.

Two years ago, Waclaw, 43, was diagnosed with a rare form of endometrial cancer but was advised several months prior that she needn't worry about her health. After locating a new doctor and undergoing a radical hysterectomy and several rounds of post-operative therapy, Waclaw now represents a success story that doctors at the University of Minnesota are still amazed at.

"They call me the 'little miracle girl,'" she laughs.

Advertisement

Waclaw is on one of 30 teams participating in the annual Relay for Life event May 8 at North Dakota State College of Science Blikre Activities Center. Waclaw, a first assistant at Maurices for 15 years, is joining five of her "Sassy Survivor" friends to represent the company. Every dollar raised for the team will be matched by Maurices.

Waclaw joined Relay after her mother was diagnosed with oral cancer in 1999, and her father followed with the same diagnosis in 2000. Her mother died in 2000 due to complications from the chemotherapy and her father died of the disease two years later. During her first year at Relay, Waclaw was on a team for her mother.

"It really just gives people hope. It brings everybody together - your families, your neighbors, your friends, your strangers," said Waclaw, who has a sister that does not have cancer.

For several years, she'd been fighting the cause on behalf of her parents, but in 2008 she needed the encouragement. Two days before that year’s Relay event, Walclaw was diagnosed with her own cancer. At a loss, she talked to Pam Knapper, a local survivor, who encouraged her to soldier on that day. When Waclaw underwent 30 rounds of radiation and several rounds of chemotherapy and internal radiation, she thought she'd hit her limit. Hearing comforting words from a survivor gave Waclaw hope, and now she does the same thing for others.

"As a survivor, your heart just goes out to them, and you will do whatever you can to get another diagnosed person through it," said.

However, chemotherapy produced an unlikely result - it's made her a better person, she said.

"The person who I was before was really worried about what people think. Now...I don't sweat the little things," she said.

At this year's event, organizers hope to accrue at least $75,000 toward cancer research and the American Cancer Society. Online fundraising efforts, which represent 80 percent of participants, have currently reached $14,000.

Each year, "we always want to reach for the stars a little bit," said Knapper, part of team development this year.

Several activities are coming back this year due to popular demand, such as the cake walk and Mr. Relay pageant. A survivor meal is being held May 6 and the Saturday Relay is holding a basket raffle, where the public can purchase squares to win prizes such as cooking gadgets. Food, a carnival for the kids and entertainment will also be available.

Waclaw has been cancer-free since her surgery June 23, 2008. She said she'll be a lifetime participant at Relay for Life and looks forward to walking the survivor lap at the end of the 12-hour event.

"It just chokes you up," she said.

Relay for Life starts at 2 p.m. For more information, call Knapper at 701-640-6282. To donate ahead of the event, go to: http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/findevents2.

Comments