Cancer survivor continues helping others battle cancer
25 years ago, Linda Shaner heard the news that no one hopes to hear.
Shaner said, ” When I was at one of the visits with her, the doctor noticed a spot that I had. And he said he was concerned about it and wanted me to have it checked before I came back with the next visit with my mom. ”
Shaner was diagnosed melanoma. A form of skin cancer.
” If you let it go to long. It becomes…maybe at a point that you can’t get it all. You’re going to have treatment. And sometimes they’ll come back in a different location. ”
But because the melanoma was discovered early on, doctors were able to remove it without treatment.
” So I was very lucky and honestly it’s like I think being in that place, being a caregiver for my mom ended up taking care of me. ”
Knowing that she’s been given a second chance in life, Shaner is now an advocate and raises money in the fight against cancer in events like the ” Relay For Life ” .
Shaner added, ” I know that the only way we’re going to find a cure is through research and policy changes. And I feel like when I go out and I do that, I’m speaking for all those people. ”
Ricki Marquez, one of the many participating in the event knows that cancer can affect anyone.
” You don’t know what it’s like until you walk in your shoes. And when you’re here you just appreciate seeing all the purple shirts. The survivors that have overcome cancer and you know walking every day, ” said Marquez.
Local health agencies like Vidas Importantes Vecindarios Elevados (VIVE) , are working with cities to decrease the chance of more residents getting cancer.
Melissa Curiel , Community Engagement Manager for VIVE said, ” We’re trying to create a smoke-free outdoors and non-recreational areas. So open area events, parks, bus stops, sidewalks. Also, multi-unit housing and complexes. Because second-hand smoke does drift from one unit to the other. ”
Over $30,000 was raised in this weekend’s ” Relay For Life ” event.
KYMA 2019
