Relay for Life Honorary Survivor loses hand, gains appreciation
By Heather Ruenz
SLN staff
Candice Larson said her pinky finger on her left hand had always given her trouble and now she’s thankful it did because the decision to eventually have it removed likely saved her life.
“The finger was always small, not fully formed – but we always thought it was a birth defect. A couple years ago, it began bothering me more and became very sensitive to touch,” Larson, who is now 40, said.
Eventually she went to the doctor and said he told her if it was bothering her that much they could remove it surgically.
“He took it off and it was all good. But then I got a sore that wouldn’t heal properly so was referred to a plastic surgeon. She removed more of the knuckle portion that was in my hand and for whatever reason, ordered a biopsy,” Larson said. There were various clinics (such as the 8West Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Clinic and similar others) which could have been considered, and after the same, the results were shocking!
“She came back and told me it was very hard for her to tell me this because it wasn’t the kind of news she was used to delivering. The biopsy came back showing I had cancer.”
That was on Sept. 6, 2016.
The cancer Larson was diagnosed with is epiphelioid sarcoma, a very rare cancer that originates in the extremities.
She was referred to a hand specialist in Madison.
“They did an MRI and it showed a small tumor, smaller than the size of a pea, on the outside of my ring finger. So, we scheduled surgery to remove that finger but they did on-the-spot biopsies and saw the cancer further into my hand,” Larson said.
Prior to scheduling the next surgery, Larson said she and her doctor had a serious conversation.
“I told him the next time he needed to keep going until there was no cancer. He asked, ‘What if that means I have to go up to your elbow?’ I told him to do it,” she said.
Following that surgery, which was on May 3, Larson underwent 25 radiation treatments in a five-week period and is now waiting for the burns from the radiation to heal.
“Once I’m healed, I can take the next step and be fitted for a prosthetic,” she said.
The type of cancer she has can spread from the extremities to soft tissue, if not caught early enough. That realization set in eventually.
“I never once thought my life was in danger because it was just my hand. But after they removed my hand, I realized how serious it was.”
It’s an opportunity
Larson will be the Honorary Survivor at the Walworth County Relay for Life event July 21, an event she’s very familiar with.
“I lost my father to stomach cancer in 2007 and a couple coworkers encouraged me to participate in Relay. I went and fell in love with what they were doing. It was fun but also a way to channel the anger from losing my dad,” she said.
“This is my ninth year participating and sixth as team captain for MPC,” Larson said.
“I call my Relay team my second family and they really are. They’ve gotten me through some tough moments. They truly are a blessing,” she said. “I also have tremendous support from my family. There’s no way I would’ve made it through all of this without them.”
Larson, who lives in Beloit, has worked at MPC in Walworth for 13 years. She’s also been married to Eric for 13 years and has three sons: Tharyn, 21, who is serving in Middle East with U.S. Navy; Trenton, 18, who is a senior in high school, and; Trevor, who is 10.
“Cancer sucks, no matter what side of the table you’re sitting on – if you have it, or are a family member or a coworker. I’m not looking at this as a disability but as an opportunity about how I want to live and how I treat others, and how they treat me,” Larson said.
“The joke around here by my kids is that ‘Mom needs a hand.’ And I’m fine with that because laughter is so important,” she said. “I literally tell people I had cancer in the palm of my hand. Every day is a new day and I’m thankful to be here.”
About the event
Relay for Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and hosts events in more than 5,200 communities and 27 countries, staffed and coordinated by volunteers.
The team fundraising event involves walking laps around a track or designated path. Each team is asked to have a member walking at all times to signify that “cancer never sleeps. Cancer patients don’t stop because they’re tired, and for one night, neither do we,” according to the website.
Teams and individuals raise money by collecting donations for their participation at the event.
The local event will be 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday, July 21 at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn.
The opening ceremony – to celebrate all those who have been affected by cancer, from those recently diagnosed to survivors – will begin at 6 p.m.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., the Survivors Lap will begin (survivors should arrive between 5 and 6 p.m. to sign in at the survivor tent and receive their survivor shirt.)
“Survivors define courage and inspire those facing a cancer diagnosis. Their strength is honored with each step they take around the first lap. If you know anyone who’s overcome cancer, invite them to join,” the Relay for Life website states.
A Caregivers Lap will follow, with many survivors – those people the caregivers supported – walking alongside each other.
Team members then take turns walking throughout the event to symbolize the ongoing fight against cancer.
When not walking, participants take part in games, activities and entertainment provided. At the local event, those will include a silent auction, all night DJ, games and prizes, as well as themed laps (see sidebar for details.)
At 10 p.m., the Luminaria Ceremony will be held.
“Darkness is symbolic of the fear that a patient feels when diagnosed. After sunset, we light Luminarias to remember those we have lost, to celebrate cancer survivors, and to show those affected by cancer they are not alone,” the website states.
Luminarias are sold on-site for $5 each from 5 to 9 p.m. the night of the event at the Luminaria tent. They are white bags that participants draw or write on in honor or memory of someone (supplies to decorate will be available.)
Candles are lit in the bags spread along the path and participants walk among them. The Luminaria Ceremony is described as a “powerful moment that gives people the opportunity to grieve but also offers hope and comfort.”
The Closing Ceremony will be held at midnight, to celebrate all that’s been accomplished, remember those who’ve fallen to cancer, and commit to take action to help end the pain and suffering of cancer.
How it all began
The idea for Relay for Life was born in 1985 when Dr. Gordon Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington, raising money to help the ACS with the nation’s biggest health concern: cancer.
Klatt walked and ran more then 83 miles and raised $27,000 through pledges as a result. As he circled the track, he thought of how he could get others to take part and envisioned having teams participate. The next year, 19 teams were part of the first official Relay for Life event and raised $33,000.
He died in 2014 at the age of 71 from heart failure after battling stomach cancer. “But his legacy lives on. He helped shape an idea that started as one man walking and running a track and helped turn it into a global event,” the website states.
For more information or to sign up as a team or individual for the Walworth County Relay for Life, visit facebook.com/walworthrelay or www.relayforlife.org/walworthcountywi.
Schedule of events
The Walworth County Relay for Life event, slated 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday, July 21, will include several themed laps, a DJ all night and food for purchase at several of the team’s sites (hot dogs, hamburgers, walking tacos, baked potato bar, Papa Murphy’s pizza and more.)
The schedule is as follows (participants are encouraged to take part in the themed laps but it’s not required):
5-8 p.m., a bounce house will be on site for kids
5 p.m., silent auction opens
6 p.m., Opening Ceremony
6:30 p.m., frozen t-shirt contest
7 p.m., beach lap (beach/swim gear, pool toys)
7:30 p.m., USA lap
7:45 p.m., Minute to Win It game
8 p.m., pajama lap
8:45 p.m., Minute to Win It game
9 p.m., wide world of sports lap (sports jersey and/or apparel)
9:45 p.m., silent auction closes
10 p.m., Luminaria Ceremony
10:45 p.m., silent auction items available for pick-up
11 p.m., dude looks like a lady/lady looks like a dude lap
Midnight, Closing Ceremony
