Growing up in a household where both parents have cancer doesn’t sound like an ideal childhood.  For Carole Morton Gassaway, it was a reality. Her father, Bobby, was diagnosed with cancer when she was five. He was given six months to live. A year later, her mother was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer, which at that time had a 5% survival rate past five years.

Amazingly, Bobby and Judy both beat the odds. Bobby lived for nine more years. Judy beat her cancer, and ten years later, battled a second breast cancer. Thanks to early detection and expert medical care, she is now a 2-time cancer survivor.

To say that cancer has shaped Gassaway’s life would be an understatement.  Cancer had a negative effect on her relationship with her father. It also took a toll on her sense of security concerning her mother’s health. There was always the fear that the cancer would return. Now, as a mother herself, Gassaway must deal with fears for her health and how cancer could affect her own children.

It should come as no surprise, then, that she has become involved with Relay for Life.  She returned to Polk County two years ago with her husband and children. Last year was her first experience with Relay for Life – she had a team named in her mother’s honor. One of their fundraisers had lasting results.  After meeting their $500 goal in one weekend, Gassaway and her mother were set to shave their heads. On a friend’s suggestion, Gassaway decided to go with a mohawk instead.

This year, Gassaway has stepped into a larger role. She is serving as the Event Lead for 2015, as well as the Fund the Cure Lead.  She is looking forward to making Polk County’s Relay for Life a meaningful yet fun event, with a focus on local survivors and caregivers.

Also new to the Polk County event for 2015 is Heather Grigg. Grigg works for the American Cancer Society and is the new Staff Partner for the local event. She is married to long-time Polk County resident Phillip Grigg, and is excited to be able to work within her own community.  She hopes to build Polk County’s Relay into a local-driven community event that will continue to grow each year. Her dedication to Relay stems from the loss of her father to brain cancer in 1999.

Gassaway and Grigg are joined by Alisha Reese on the event leadership team. Reese will be serving as the Experience Lead in 2015. Diana Blanton and Linda Flynn are returning to the leadership team as well, and BettyAnne Foster and Appriel Suber are joining the team for the first time this year.

Anyone interested in joining the team to build the Relay for Life event for 2015 is encouraged to attend the Kickoff PartyNovember 18th. It will be held at OpenRoad Coffee in Columbus and start at 6:00pm. Teams may register that evening and information on the 2015 event will be provided. Following with this year’s Relay theme – which is a birthday party to celebrate Relay’s 30th year – refreshments,  games and prizes will be incuded at Kickoff.

The 2015 Relay for Life will be held May 1, 2015 at Polk County Middle School. For more information on the event or to learn how you can help, contact Carole Morton Gassaway at 828-818-1434, or Heather Grigg at 864-978-9694.