Published: June 11, 2009 01:30 pm      

Relayer goes beyond raising money in Floyd County

Donna Taylor will walk survivor lap for 11th time

Donna Taylor was diagnosed with cancer on a not-so-lucky day, Friday the 13th. Her surgery was on another not-so-lucky day, April Fools’ Day.

This Friday will be a very lucky day for Taylor. She will walk the survivor lap for the 11th time as a breast cancer survivor at the Floyd County Relay for Life.

“After I was diagnosed with cancer and got over my hump and treatments, I decided to give back,” said Taylor, the New Albany-Floyd County Schools administration relay team captain.

Taylor has given back in more ways than just raising money and leading a team. She has been a recruiter and supporter for those with cancer.

Connie Hodges, team captain of the New Albany-Floyd County Schools food services team, became involved in Relay for Life because of Taylor’s influence. Hodges said the day after she looked at relay pictures in Taylor’s office and commented on how fun the event looked, she found a team captain application sitting on her desk.

“She got me involved,” Hodges said. “She is pretty special. She is the one who was instrumental in getting me involved because I didn’t know about it.”

Hodges also was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, three years after she became a relay team captain. Because Taylor had gone through the same experience, she became a major supporter for Hodges.

“She was a great encourager,” Hodges said. “She would send me cards, she called and visited, sent gifts. She was instrumental because I could go to her and talk and she understood.”

Taylor was the first person in her family to be diagnosed with cancer, but unfortunately not the last. Between her experience and her loved ones’ with the disease, Taylor knows first hand the impact Relay for Life has on the fight against cancer.

“Relay supports all types of cancer,” Taylor said, “I’ve lost a brother to lung cancer. I’ve got a dad and a brother that has prostate cancer. It doesn’t just help breast cancer — it helps all cancer survivors.”

The survivor lap is not the only thing that keeps Taylor returning to relay year-after-year, but it is her favorite part of the night.

“It makes me feel very thankful that people have given their time and treasures to help find cures for cancer because that’s why I’m here today,” Taylor said.



ON THE WEB

• relayforlife.org