Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
She fought a battle for her life.
Now she's helping others fight the battle that affects one in three people - cancer.
Leanne Coffman, a divorced mother of five, discovered she had Hodgkin's Disease in April 1997. She started chemotherapy the last week of April and continued through September.
"The community really rallied around me," Coffman said. "The Cancer Society has been wonderful."
The Cancer Society helped her with transportation. They also have a program to do makeup and hair for women who lose their hair due to the radiation.
"When you find out you have cancer, it's really overwhelming," Coffman said. "It's helpful and necessary to cling to hope. There is light on the other side."
Now in remission, Coffman will be one of many local survivors at the Relay for Life to benefit the Kosciusko County Unit of the American Cancer Society. The 24-hour relay will be June 10 and 11 at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m.
"It's a fun thing and you don't have to be a sporty person to do it - it's just walking," said Coffman.
Relay for Life is a team event to fight cancer. Teams are composed of individuals representing businesses, families, churches, schools, clubs, friends and organizations. Team members take turns walking or running around the track for 24 hours. Teams pitch tents, bring food and games and enjoy the entertainment.
Participants are asked to collect donations for the American Cancer Society to support their programs, services and research. Each person is asked to try to raise $100 in donations each.
"We would like to have 60 teams," said Coffman, "and raise $60,000. We believe we can do that."
Local residents can help by participating, making a donation or volunteering.
A luminary ceremony will be held the Friday night before the event. Luminaries are $10 each. Each luminary represents a survivor or a loved one who has lost the battle against cancer. A person can decorate their own luminary or have it decorated for them. The ceremony represents hope and the continued fight against cancer.
"It's a very beautiful ceremony," Coffman said.
At Relay for Life, information tables will be set up to inform the public about cancer and local support groups. Items such as mini-teddy bears will be sold to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
A cancer survivor breakfast will be held the morning of June 10.
Coffman said, "Any cancer survivor in the entire county who wants to come, or is visiting, is more than welcome to come."
For more information about Relay for Life, contact Chris and Tammy Cotton at 528-6319 or toll free at 877-632-5999 or visit the Web site at www.kconline.com/relayforlife
"Every major treatment against cancer that has been proven to work has been founded to work by a grant by the Cancer Society," she said. "We need to find a cure. Hope is essential and vital, but we need to find a cure."
