Kickoff features cancer survivor
Franklin County’s Relay for Life organization held its kickoff Oct. 23 at the A.W. Todd Centre. American Cancer Society community development manager Anna Duncan shared the plan for the year, and Kolby Stidham was the guest speaker.
Stidham is the business office manager for Generations of Red Bay, but she was at the kickoff to share the story of her recent cancer diagnosis.
“It was an honor to be asked to speak today,” Stidham said.
She explained that in May of this year she fell and, for a couple of weeks, sought different treatments through a chiropractor and medication, but nothing helped. July 30, doctors found a tumor on her spine.
“Your life becomes uncertain at that point,” Stidham said.
Aug. 8 she had surgery to remove the tumor, but surgeons couldn’t remove the whole growth. “I had prepared myself beforehand for the option that they wouldn’t be able get it all, and I would have to do treatments,” she said.
Stidham was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer that forms on the brain and spinal cord. She chose to undergo treatments at MD Anderson.
She went on to share what cancer has done for her – like helping her learn to walk by faith and letting her witness firsthand the kindness of a stranger. She said she has also, through her experience, come to realize the simplicity of prayer and finding hope even when things seem hopeless.
“I have found and seen that the good far outweighs the bad,” Stidham said.
She had to return to MD Anderson the day after the kickoff, but she said she was grateful for the opportunity.
“I believe God allowed me to come back home and speak to you because someone needs to hear what I have to say,” Stidham said.
After Stidham’s heartfelt testimony, Duncan detailed the plan for the upcoming year for Relay.
This year Relay for Life will be in memory of Joey Oden, longtime Relay for Life supporter who passed away earlier this year. The theme is Community of Hope, and the main event will be a community picnic May 3, 2019, at the Russellville High School stadium from 6-10 p.m.
The annual Survivor Dinner will be April 23, 2019, at the A.W. Todd Center at 6 p.m. Bank Independent is the sponsor.
For more information or to register a team, visit relayforlife.org/franklinal.
