Cancer survivors, families gather to celebrate at annual dinner
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) — Cancer survivors and their families filled La Gala in Bowling Green over the weekend for an emotional Relay for Life event hosted by the American Cancer Society. The event honored those who have battled cancer and the support networks who accompanied them through it.
Alan Landreth, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2022, shared his story of survival. “I went through induction chemotherapy two times — 58 days in the hospital,” he said. After an extensive global search for a stem cell donor, doctors discovered the best match was his own son. “He donated 6.1 million stem cells, and they infused me on June the 7th of 2023,” Landreth said. “Here I am two years later, cancer free.”
For Landreth, the celebration was more than symbolic. “The big thing is it brings awareness,” he said. “People don’t realize that they’re walking around with potential cancer cells, and just having a simple prostate exam or a breast exam or something like that can save your life.”
When asked what he would say to someone currently battling cancer, Landreth pointed to faith, medicine, and family. “Glory to God, because his intelligent design made it possible for my son to give me stem cells… that saved me from cancer,” he said. “The doctors and nurses and researchers… they put their lives into it.”
Bowling Green Metalforming played a key role in making the night happen. “We were able to pay for the dinner and give a check for $14,600 to the American Cancer Society,” Jill Holley, a company representative said. “Magna, our corporate, will double that, so we will be giving the American Cancer Society $29,200.” The funds came from creative employee fundraisers like selling rubber ducks and T-shirts.
The event, which featured dinner, music, and moments of reflection, was a chance for survivors to feel seen and supported. “A lot of the attendees, the survivors, came and talked to me and said that this place made them feel really special this year,” Holley said. “It does touch your heart.”
Trish Siefert, lead organizer for the South Central Kentucky Relay for Life, said the event is all about the survivors. “It was something very, very special for the survivors,” she said. “I was talking to a young person who said that she’s only been a survivor for six months… and then another person on the other side of the room has been a 45-year survivor of the exact same cancer.” That moment moved everyone in the room. “She was crying and upset because she was so happy that she knew then that she could survive for 45 years after this,” Siefert recalled. “It lifts them up and lets them know that, yes, I need to keep on fighting.”
The next large Relay for Life is happening on October 11 at the Bowling Green Hot Rods Stadium. Organizers indicate it will continue the tradition of remembering and inspiring survivors, no matter where they are in their journey.
