Relay for Life cancer society walk

By DIANE TADEHARA Guest Writer

Sleep? What’s that? At this year’s Relay for Life it was a rare commodity. The event raised almost $31,000 for cancer research. Emery County, you’ve done yourselves proud. On behalf of your Relay committee and the cancer survivors here in our community – Thank you! Thank you for caring and sharing. Thank you for contributing to this wonderful experience.
We’ve done some things differently this year. One important change was to present an award to a survivor who has been completely committed to Relay and involved for a number of years. This year the selection was easy. Sue Lute, of Orangeville, has been a cancer survivor since 1988. She is actively involved with RSVP, line dancers, and her church. As the RSVP team captain she was at every Relay meeting (she may have missed one). She has been a fixture at Relay since Emery County began sponsoring them. The Relay committee was privileged to have Sue’s family recognize some of her qualities and characteristics that make The Heart Of Relay for 2010.
Cancer wasn’t a stranger to Sue, her mother died at a young age from cancer because she wouldn’t seek treatment. Signs and symptoms began to appear early in March 1988. When she was diagnosed later that month with colon cancer, Sue became proactive in her healthcare management. Determined to do everything she could to eliminate the disease from her body she underwent the necessary surgery. More cancer was discovered while on the table. Sue has been faithful in her check-ups going every month for six months, to one year, then every three years, and now sees her doctor every five years and remains cancer-free. One important thing Sue learned about colon cancer is that while it is not an inherited disease, it is very heavily influenced by lifestyle. Most members of the same family usually have the same lifestyle. Sue urged others in her family to have a colonoscopy to be on the safe side. Of the six women who did, five had cancerous polyps. None of the seven men in her family would go. This would form the basis for her anti-cancer platform – “early detection especially the macho men who don’t think they need to” see their doctor.
In an effort to help other cancer patients at the Shawnee Mission Hospital, Sue began making the rounds, just visiting with the patients who would allow her into their rooms. She brightened many days for many people. When the Chaplain heard of her good works, he recruited her in an official capacity as a Volunteer Chaplain in Oncology. Sue lifted the spirits of cancer survivors for four years and had a “fabulous time giving back to the community for all the support she received.” She had so many who shared and helped her through even for just a minute or two. She learned not to look inside all the time, because she never felt satisfied. Sue looked to others and asked what can I do for you? Even the smallest gesture “like the smallest smile” can work miracles.
When Sue retired from Dolly Madison after 23 years, she moved to Utah to be near her family, Mike and Vicki Humphrey. They rewarded her with these comments… Her grandson, Tommy, was unable to be with her at relay but sent this message: “I remember when Grandma was still in Kansas City and she would come visit, she always brought a big box of goodies for us kids, all of our favorite things. When we would visit her we would feed the ducks at a local park and chase fire flies. When we would travel in the car Grandma would always sing with us.”
The eldest granddaughter, Kira recalled “sleep over’s at Grandma’s house were fun because we would sing Karaoke and eat snacks and stay up all night.” (Kind of like Relay?)
Here are Sierra’s fond comments, “I love my Grandma. I remember when I was a little girl and going and getting her so she could be closer to us. Out of all the years, some 12 or so years that she has been living here, she has always been there for us. It doesn’t matter what activities we were involved in, she has been there through it all. Thanks for all you have done, Grandma, We love you.”
Chelsi’s thoughts, “Grandma Sue is an amazing woman, though sometimes we think she is a little crazy.