Clearfield Relay for Life Raises Hope for 500 Families

When Lynette Timko stood before her Clearfield community last Saturday, she didn't come to share a sad story. She came to show how hope can light the way through the darkest moments.

The 17th annual Relay for Life at Clearfield Driving Park brought together hundreds of Pennsylvania residents for a powerful celebration of survival and remembrance. The American Cancer Society event honored those fighting cancer, celebrated survivors, and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.

Timko knows cancer from every angle. She's a survivor herself, and in December 2023, doctors told her family that her son Jared had an inoperable brain tumor with perhaps five years to live.

Instead of despair, she found unexpected grace. The Veterans Administration stepped up for her veteran son in ways that transformed their crisis into manageable challenges.

The VA covered Jared's transportation, medicine, wheelchairs, and even provided health insurance for Timko. Her son's 19-year-old daughter receives a college stipend, and Timko now receives payment as a caregiver for her veteran husband, covering the apartment they rent near Jared in Lancaster.

She and her husband drive regularly between Lancaster and Clearfield in a hybrid car to save on gas costs. Every trip represents a choice they made together.

"We aren't mourning anymore," Timko declared to the crowd, reflecting on their family decision last Christmas. "We are living. We are creating memories."

Her son will return home to Clearfield for Memorial Day weekend for the first time in a long while. That homecoming represents more than miles traveled.

Why This Inspires

Timko's story reveals something powerful about facing cancer as a family. She didn't minimize the hardship or pretend the diagnosis wasn't devastating, but she chose to focus on what they could control: being present, accepting help, and celebrating every moment together.

The evening's Luminaria Ceremony featured approximately 500 personalized bags decorated with names, messages, and photos. Each bag glowed in the Expo I building as families walked past, remembering and honoring their own cancer journeys.

The Clearfield Honor Guard led walkers while bagpiper Herb Wilson played "Amazing Grace" during opening ceremonies. Mayor Mason Strouse reminded the crowd that cancer touches nearly every family, but so does the strength of those who face it.

The event also included live music, food vendors, a car show, and a special dinner for survivors and caregivers. These simple pleasures mattered as much as the formal ceremonies.

Timko asked the community to continue supporting the American Cancer Society and veterans organizations, knowing firsthand how that support changes outcomes. This Memorial Day, one Pennsylvania family will gather together because a community decided hope was worth fighting for.