Dusk-to-dawn relay gives life to gravely ill

Despite two diagnoses of cancer, Alaina Sanders, now cancer-free, invokes the will to survive for many others who are stricken with disease or the heartbreak of a loved one's misfortune.

"With everything I've been through at such a young age I feel it shows you can come through cancer and beat it," Sanders said.

With an inspiring story of perseverance to share, Sanders is the keynote speaker at Saturday's Relay for Life's marathon walk that begins at 6 p.m. at Kennedy Park.

This is the 25th year the relay has raised funds for the American Cancer Society. A large portion of the proceeds goes to the Yuma Cancer Center, which provides information and supplies to ease cancer patients' ordeals.

Sanders, a third-grade teacher at O.C. Johnson School, was first diagnosed with uterine cancer four years ago when she was 25. Her treatment regimen of taking a progesterone hormone sent her cancer into remission after three months.

Doctors discovered it after performing a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure when Sanders complained of problems with bleeding. She said even doctors were upset because they never saw such a condition in a 25-year old since it was something more typical of women 20 years older.

"I had no clue and never even thought cancer. It was extremely shocking. To me if you say the word cancer, I think I'm going to die. I have little kids and it's scary."

Sanders, with 2-year-old twin boys, said she and her husband were planning on additional children. Her Yuma doctor suggested she have a hysterectomy but the oncologist he referred her to in Phoenix decided to medicate instead.

"Thank God I didn't have to have radiation or chemotherapy,' Sanders said. "In December 2005 they did another D&C and I was cancer-free."

The following autumn, Sanders had another set of twins but because they were born 17 weeks early, her daughter, Abigail, died after one day and her son, Landon, died after 11 months due to complications from premature birth.  

Adding to tragedy, just a few months later Sanders was diagnosed with clear cell adenocarcinoma, one of the most aggressive cancers. In the spring of 2008, she chose to have a radical hysterectomy that was successful and she has been cancer-free ever since.

"Last year was my first Relay for Life and I only did the survivor lap because I was just out of the hospital and even though it was tough, I did it," Sanders said.

Ricka Farkas, who has participated in Relay for Life for six years and is one of 70 fellow members of Alaina's walking team, said it is a great event for people to support.

"The opening ceremony is very touching and it's great to see all the survivors, about 250, walking the survivor lap. Alaina's story is very inspirational. She was determined to beat the cancer. She is always smiling and has such a positive attitude."

Relay for Life begins at 6 p.m. Saturday. Walkers continue through the night until 9 a.m. Sunday, lapping around the warning track of the baseball field.

Walkers raise funds through pledges from businesses and individuals. Last year they raised $168,000 from 70 teams. The goal for this year is $175,000 and 80 teams are already registered. Teams wanting to register may telephone Pam Borland at 210-9882.

Sanders recalled it was a long hard year when she lost her twins, especially since she could not take her son, Landon, home from the hospital in Phoenix and was driving there weekly to visit him.

"I lost two children - my goodness, how much more can I take?" Sanders said. "But I realized you're never given more than you can handle. I came through despite the challenges, and now it's my turn to support other cancer patients."

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William Roller can be reached at
wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.