OxfordPress.com

Oxford resident Nora Ellen Bowers is continuing her fight against cancer, 36 years after it began. Although she has overcome her illness, Bowers continues to fight for a cure through participation in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Bowers said she's been on a Relay team since it began in Oxford roughly 12 years ago. She was a part of the team from the Methodist church before starting a team at her local parish, St. Mary's, five years ago.

The Relay event to be held June 21-22 is a spirited way to fight cancer, Bowers said.

"It's really competitive and fun," she said. "It's all done in a great spirit and all the money goes to the same place.

"Everybody knows it goes to cancer research and education."

According to Bowers, last year's St. Mary's team had the most cancer survivors and fighters out of all teams, with six members who were either fighting cancer or have survived it.

"They get honored at a luncheon at the beginning of the relay and they take the first lap," Bowers said. "It's very heartwarming to see all the people who've made it through cancer because it's such a scary thing to deal with."

As a cancer survivor herself, Bowers is living proof that you can battle cancer and come out on top. Relay for Life offers hope to those affected by cancer, she said.

"More than anything else, it is a way to show people that there's a lot of hope," Bowers said. "When you get the diagnosis of cancer, it is so frightening and the first thing almost everyone thinks about is dying because we see so much of it. I like to participate because people will see how many of us that are out there that have made it and that there's so much hope."

Bowers said the Relay involves the community in a fight that is generally fought by the individual, which strengthens the bond between Oxford residents.

"In a small town like Oxford, where everyone knows almost everyone else, it's a lovely thing to do to all pull together," Bowers said.

"We all patronize each other's tents, whatever activities are going on. It's a nice feeling of community and camaraderie."

Vote for this story!