JULIA ROBERTS GOAD
STAFF WRITER
WILLIAMSON - Members of Williamson High School class of 1972 are scattered across the country, but the bond created in high school brought some of those classmates home to support one of their own at the 2012 Tug Valley Relay for Life held Friday in Williamson.
The event brought together 24 teams, some of which were created to honor a cancer survivor or one who lost their lives to the disease.
Peggy’s Warriors were there to support Peggy Whitt McDaniel. Peggy was diagnosed with a particularly rare form of lung cancer.
“Only 20 people a year get this,” Peggy said.
She spoke from Lefty Hamilton Park, surrounded by members of the team who support her, “Peggy’s Warriors.”
The event hosted 24 teams and over 500 participants. Each team member pays and entry fee and hosts fundraisers to raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Tug Valley Relay Chair Dawn King said this year’s Tug Valley Relay raised over $37,000. Teams hosted tents selling everything from handmade jewelry to baskets filled with gifts. The proceeds from each team, along with registration fees for team members, goes to the ACS.
Every year, music and drama is included along with fellowship. A support network between everyone who has been touched by cancer is strengthened.
Some of “Peggy’s Warriors” take an annual trip together, and this year was no differnt, they said. This year, they returned home from California, Florida, Washington, D.C. and other points to Williamson to attend Relay for Life. Peggy had over 25 Warriors at the event, there are 211 in the Facebook group.
Peggy said the support she has gotten from her Warriors has been priceless.
Living now in Knoxville, Tenn., she had surgery in Houston which removed one lung and part of her heart.
“I have been out of work since last August,” she explained. “My friends have held fundraisers for me, they have helped me in every way. It has been amazing.”
If you would like information on becoming involved in the 2013 Tug Valley Relay for Life, contact Dawn King at 606 353-8094 or 606 625-5290.
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