Belpre Relay for Life Honors Cancer Survivors, Caregivers

When Sophie Boothby was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 16, her active life as a cheerleader and dancer came to a sudden halt. Two days later, she underwent brain surgery, but her positive attitude and strong support system helped her through what seemed impossible.

On Saturday evening, Boothby stood before hundreds at Civitan Park in Belpre as the grand marshal for Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society fundraiser. She was no longer just an attendee but a survivor with a powerful message about controlling how we react to life's challenges.

The event brought together cancer survivors, caregivers, families, and supporters to celebrate victories, remember loved ones lost, and raise money for research and patient programs. Rhonda Blair, one of the organizers, emphasized that while Relay for Life has evolved over the years, its heart remains celebrating survivors and honoring the often-forgotten heroes: caregivers.

"It's nice for the caregivers too," Blair said. "It's a place that they can come and kind of feel celebrated too, because I feel like they get forgotten about."

Dr. Rajendra Bhati, a surgical oncologist at Marietta Memorial Hospital's Belpre Campus, shared encouraging news about advances in cancer treatment. Immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and early detection have all improved survival rates dramatically in recent years.

But Bhati reminded attendees that statistics only tell part of the story. "Behind every percentage point is a person, a child who gets to grow up, a grandparent who gets to see another holiday, a family that stays whole a little bit longer," he said.

Why This Inspires

Stories like Sophie's remind us that cancer doesn't just affect patients. It touches entire communities, bringing people together in powerful ways.

The money raised through events like this supports crucial programs including Hope Lodge and Road to Recovery, which provide lodging and transportation for cancer patients during treatment. These services can make the difference between accessing life-saving care and going without.

Micki George, another survivor who attended, used the opportunity to raise awareness about Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases cancer risk. Diagnosed in 2010, she's been cancer-free since surgery and feels grateful her experience was shorter than many others endure.

The evening wasn't just about serious conversations. Families enjoyed food trucks, face painting, balloon animals, an auction, a dunk tank, and live entertainment while eight participating teams competed to raise funds.

For Boothby, seeing Relay for Life through a survivor's eyes has transformed what it means to her. "Now that I'm on the survivor side of it, I definitely see this not as just something fun to go to but something that is so much bigger than that," she said.

Every lap around that track represents another year lived, another milestone reached, another reason to keep fighting.