MOUNT VERNON — Truman Jordan found a cancerous growth on his forearm in 2001 and survived. The son of Jordan’s longtime colleague at Cornell College, former religion professor David Weddle, died of leukemia in March. Jordan will talk about both stories when he speaks at the opening ceremonies Friday, May 6, for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life at Cornell.
“We don’t do Relay for Life because I survived or because Dan Weddle died, but because both of us had this experience. All of those alive should work to try to make it possible for more to survive,” said Jordan, emeritus professor of chemistry and a Mount Vernon resident.
An estimated 350 people are expected to walk or run around the indoor track at Cornell’s Richard and Norma Small Multi-Sport Center from 8 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Saturday, May 7. Money raised by 33 teams – including 12 from Mount Vernon Middle School – will help finance cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services. The fund-raising goal is $22,000.
Survivors will be honored at 8:30 p.m. Friday in a special service that includes a survivors’ lap and luminaria ceremony, and again at 8 a.m. Saturday in a closing ceremony. To keep teams motivated and entertained during the 12-hour event, there will be games including a limbo contest, chicken wing eating contest, Texas hold ’em tournament, belly dancing lessons and a sleeping bag race.
Much of the event’s organizational work is done by Cornell students, including junior Emily Bretl of Orland Park, Ill., co-coordinator of Relay for Life. When she was a freshman, her oldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer during a pregnancy. Surgeries removed the cancerous cells, chemotherapy followed and then intense radiation therapy came after the birth of Bretl’s nephew. Her sister is now cancer free.
“For my family and me, my sister’s cancer was an intense, scary, but inspiring experience. Throughout the entire process Anne was smiling, beautiful and full of hope. She showed me that there was a good reason I consider her my hero,” Bretl said.
Jordan stressed the importance of support from family and friends. His wife and three daughters – in Iowa City, Elmhurst, Ill., and Appleton, Wis. – were with him for his first operation. And Cornell colleagues, his church congregation and friends from a volleyball tournament he organizes responded to the announcement he had malignant melanoma.
“I was inundated with e-mails. It was just wonderful,” he said. “You’re moving to the bottom of your medical trough, and then you feel all of this support.”
For more information about Cornell’s Relay For Life, to donate money or volunteer for the event, contact Jeff Ramsey in the Civic Engagement Office, (319) 895-4003.