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Community Corner

Survivors Fight Back at Relay For Life

Huntley's third annual Relay for Life Friday had nearly triple the survivors that were present at its first event in 2009.

Prior to her retirement, Carpentersville resident Nancy Crement worked as a counselor for adolescents involved in drugs and alcohol. A 17-year survivor of cancer, Crement is still giving back to the community.

Crement manned the survivor’s tent on June 17-18 and was also on the planning committee for the third annual Huntley Relay for Life that took place at Deicke Park Friday with a record-breaking 38 survivors walking, more than triple the survivors in 2009.

When Crement was first diagnosed with cancer, she had not seen a doctor for a couple of years. Luck was by her side when she found out the cancer had not taken too strong of a hold inside her body.

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“I was fortunate that it was only stage two,” she said.

 Crement went through five weeks of radiation and therapy at St. Joe’s Hospital, where she met her doctor Barb Amsler, an 18-year survivor of breast cancer herself. Amsler also made an appearance at the Relay for Life and encourages her patients to participate.

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 “Studies have been clear, those who can stay positive have the best survival statistics,” she said.

 Crement has maintained an optimistic outlook on her situation since she was diagnosed, and her doctor makes no hesitation in describing her as “absolutely awe-inspiring.”

 “She is such a strong person,” said Amsler. “She doesn’t even let anything get her down.”

Throughout the night, each team was asked to keep at least one member on the track at all times, while the others stayed in their tents or participated in various activities, like Baggo tournaments, pajama parties, and board games.

Closing time, sunrise

You see a glimmer of hope, all of a sudden the sun comes out and life moves on.

“They say if you go five years without a recurrence they consider you cured,” said Crement, whose sun has continued shining since treatment.

The Relay for Life lasted a good 12 hours, with fundraisers totaling more than $70,000 of the 192 registered participants plus 100 or so unregistered people joining the event. According to Maggie Kluck of the American Cancer Society, 97 percent of that money will go toward patient services, advocacy, and research.

To get involved with Relay for Life or to make a donation, visit relayforlifenorthernfoxvolley.com.

“Anything we can do to build awareness is so helpful,” Scerbicke said.

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