The 2012 Race for the Cure
"In Memory Of"
Honoree Margaret “Lambie” Guyton Stout
Lambie's legacy
How does one sum up a grand life? Trying to fit Margaret "Lambie" Guyton Stout's legacy into the space of this page is a daunting task. Margaret — a mother, wife, entrepreneur and positive force in the lives of others — died on September 11, 2011. Married to Michael Stout in 2002, the couple was blessed with the birth of daughter Elizabeth in 2004. Margaret was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and would sadly hear the word that all survivors fear, “reoccurrence," two times in her six year battle with the disease.
She was a “giver” and a “sharer” since childhood. You could easily imagine “plays well with others” written in bold ink on her report cards. “There are very few truly good people in this world,” said her sibling, local broadcast journalist Lissa Guyton of 13 ABC Action News. “My sister was one of them.” Margaret always had a lot of friends in her “sandbox” and the joy of sharing time with others carried into her adult life. Molly Noble, a childhood friend, remembers her fondly. “From the time that I met Lambie at our local small town library, I instantly knew that we would be great friends," Noble said. "We grew up together as young girls and continued our journey as young women and mothers. The laughter, stories, tears and camaraderie that we shared had a significant influence on my life.”
After she was diagnosed, Margaret felt it necessary to leave work to spend more time with her family. It was during this time that she created Comfort Crunch, a healthy trail mix snack. Many times during her cancer treatment Comfort Crunch was one of the few things she was able to eat, thus inspiring the name of the pacifying snack. In true Lambie style she wanted to share her “comfort” with others. Today Comfort Crunch is sold in locations all over the world and has been featured on NBC’s “Today Show." A portion of Comfort Crunch sales benefit breast cancer research and programs that support women going through the
cancer journey.
Margaret also gave her time and talent to numerous charitable boards. She actively served on the Komen Northwest Ohio Affiliate board. In 2011 her team “Pretty in Pink” raised more than $42,000, making it the top fundraising team in the 2011 Race for the Cure.
Her family and friends described her spirit in simple but powerful words — “courageous," “genuine”, “caring," “enthusiastic," “thoughtful” and “kind." But “loss” is the word that they feel with her passing. “In her short 42 years on this earth, she left a mark that will never be erased," said sister Lissa. Numerous times those who had the privilege of knowing her recalled how Margaret would always be one of the last people at a party. It is sad that this dynamic giver had to be one of the first to leave.
The 2012 Race for the Cure
"In Celebration of"
Honoree ingrid bias
Not a victim, but a survivor
Many have heard the saying "when God closes a door, he opens a window.” In Ingrid Bias’s case he opened the window first! “I went to close a window around 10 pm a year ago when I felt an area of my skin pull and found a lump,” explained the 49-year-old survivor. Ingrid then walked through the door of a breast cancer journey and hasn’t looked back. A mammogram led to an ultrasound, MRI, bilateral mastectomy, the removal of 20 lymph nodes, a second surgery to remove additional tissue, a post-surgical MRSA infection, 6 rounds of chemo and a year of Herceptin infusions. Through it all she has been an inspiration for others and an “in your face” advocate for early detection through self- examinations and mammography.
Ingrid is an associate pastor at Abundant Life Baptist Church. Following her diagnosis she had a major conversation with God. “I told him he had to worry about the cancer because I couldn’t,” she said. “I asked him why I had to get cancer. His response was that this wasn’t about me. He was going to use me to assist others.”
One of the most vital areas of her ministry is encouraging woman to get medical treatment. “Vanity takes a toll on women. We love our curves! Women are concerned about the physical effects of treatment and have told me they are not strong enough to get a mammogram. I then ask them if they're strong enough to stand in front of their loved ones and tell them they are going to die. Early detection is vital to survival."
Ingrid credits the love and support of others for helping her through the tough times. Her employer, Doris Thomas of the Grannie Thomas Learning Center (where she works as an administrative assistant), allowed her to change her hours around chemo and doctor’s appointments. “In addition to encouraging me, Doris Thomas began communicating with Jean Schoen, president and founder of Northwest Ohio Cancer Connection, to begin a daycare program. The program assists children whose parents are battling cancer and siblings of kids with cancer that need care when their family has medical appointments,” Ingrid said. She feels fortunate to have had Nicole McKnight, her daughter's best friend, serve as a “stand-in” for her own daughter, who lives in Columbus. “She came to every chemo treatment and appointment with me and stayed in constant contact with my daughter. I was never alone." She also feels blessed to have a compassionate fiancé whose number one concern is keeping her healthy to allow them to enjoy a future life together.
Her “prayer givers,” as she refers to her entourage, will be out in full force on race day, and on Saturday, Sept. 29 a gospel choir concert is being held at Mt. Pilgrim Church with the proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio Affiliate. Staying true to form, she leaves us with a parting thought. “You cannot be of service to others if you are spiritually or emotionally broken down. Take care of yourself! You never know when you will be called upon to make a difference in our world.”
Swimming in a sea of pink
Breast cancer from a male survivor's perspective
It was 1999, and the last thing on 45-year-old Sam Baker’s mind was breast cancer. It was the year he discovered a lump on his chest. He went to his family physician and was advised to reduce his caffeine intake. He followed his doctor’s orders but the lump was still present. His physician thought it wise to perform a lumpectomy and to Sam's horror, he discovered that he had breast cancer. “I will never forget that day. I found out Monday at 4 pm that I had breast cancer and I was scheduled for surgery at 8 am the next morning. I had 15 hours to prepare," Sam said. He spent that evening calling friends and family. “Sam spent most of that time talking to his family. He is one of eight children so he had a lot of calling to do!” said his wife Nancy.
Sam endured a modified radical mastectomy, removal of 17 lymph nodes and chemo. “When he was going through chemo Sam was working 45 hours a week," wife Nancy said. "The hospital was amazing. He had chemo on Saturdays so it wouldn’t interfere with his job.” Sam said it was odd having a disease that is so closely identified with women. “I read somewhere that the probability of a male being diagnosed with breast cancer is one half of 1%, therefore 99.5% of people who get the disease are women. I volunteer for a breast cancer Reach for Recovery program. I have been told that I am the only volunteer in the state of Ohio that is male.”
He finally thought he'd put cancer behind him when his wife Nancy was diagnosed in 2008. Thankfully, she had been receiving free mammograms through a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation NW Ohio Affiliate. “We are so thankful for Susan G Komen. We lost our insurance halfway through my chemo. We receive annual mammograms thanks to the organization.”
The couple is a huge advocate of early detection, although the task of monthly self-breast exams were a bit confusing for Sam. “All the brochures state to give yourself an exam one week after your period. I had no clue when I was supposed to do mine! I just picked a day of the month and I stick to it.”
Circle of Survivorship
Kelli Andres is twice the fighter — she battled cancer as a pre-teen and as an adult. In 1977, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and lost her entire left leg to the disease. 33 years later, the University of Toledo grad was busy leading a full, active life when she received a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 45. “Cancer is a whole new ball game when you are responsible for a family. Being a wife and mother elevates everything." Cancer changed Kelli Andres but it also changed those in her inner circle. “I don’t think people realize that when you are diagnosed with cancer it affects everyone. That is why my team for the Race for the Cure is called Team Andres. It is not 'Kelli’s Team.'"
“Watching Kelli go through cancer is the hardest thing I have ever done, I have learned that we can’t control everything in life, so we depend on our faith and focus on what is most important in our life, which is our family and our health. And we take nothing for granted.” —Van Andres, husband
“I couldn’t ask my Dad to put into a couple of sentences how my cancer has affected him. It would be an impossible task. He watched me
fight cancer as a 12-year-old girl, and then again more than 30 years later as a wife and mother. While I was fighting breast cancer, I felt as though he saw that 12-year-old girl again.” —Kelli Andres
“Kelli having breast cancer has brought us closer together as friends, and this experience has made me want to take more of an active roll in the fight against breast cancer by participating in Race for the Cure and hosting Confections for the Cure with Kelli.” —Liz Allen, friend
“Last year before the Race for the Cure I gave Kelli a pink superhero cape because she truly is Super Woman. She battled breast cancer while taking care of a husband and two young boys, then immediately started raising awareness and money for NW Ohio Komen for the Cure to help other women get the services they need. As soon as she was well enough, she started volunteering at the Hickman Cancer Center, sharing her story and encouraging other cancer patients as they go through their treatment. And she does it all with ONE LEG! Kelli is an inspiration to everyone who meets her!” —Chrys Peterson, friend, WTOL news anchor, Honorary Chair of the Race for the Cure
“What I learned from this experience is that you get out of life what you put into it. Kelli was surrounded by caring friends during her breast cancer treatment, because she is a caring friend. As my older sister, she has been my role model for what kind of person I aspire to be.” —Janet Sears, sister
“My mom having cancer has made me more sensitive to other people who have cancer and I am learning about ways to help people who are sick.” —Patrick Andres, age 11, son
Sleep in for the cure!
For many the Race for the Cure is an important part of a survivor’s journey. Why race? This is a question my fellow survivors and I are constantly asked. I can only answer for myself, for the reasons are as varied as the people who have been affected by the disease. It’s not an easy day. It is a day of celebration with an undercurrent of sadness and loss. I still find myself looking for my friends Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon, Liz Ham, and Jackie Darah in the sea of faces. I cannot begin to describe the jumbling of my insides and the ache in my heart when I see a child stroll by with photos of a departed mom or the husband who now walks alone. For me, taking part in the race means I get to play a small part in giving someone one more day with the people they love.
The one thing I constantly hear from the “cape-less” super heroes who have risen above the fear, pain and loss of cancer is that they are more concerned about the people they might leave behind than themselves. I know as a survivor, I worry about my three daughters and frankly, I'm selfish. I want more summers on Maple Lake, “Catch Phrase” games where Helena, totally embarrassed, describes “manhole” as an “opening in a boy," unofficial contests to see how many kids can fit on our couch, hunting for rocks up north and shells down south, acting as official “starfish savers” at the beach, creating chaos, mess and meals in the kitchen, cookie decorating parties that end up in frosting fights … I also want to see them find love and careers where I hope they aren’t stuck in cubicles, make a difference, and can afford more than mac and cheese. I want to continue to be there for every milestone, huge or inconsequential. I also want to be the kind of grandmother that will stick in a child’s heart and take up permanent residence in their memory.
Why race? I race to give the aunt, mom, daughter, or dad more memory making moments. If you are not willing or able to get up Sunday morning, there is a category called "Sleep in for the Cure." I realize how difficult it can be to rally the troops. I usually have to bribe my gang with promises of post-race pancakes. "Sleep for the Cure” allows you to make a donation, receive a race packet and T-shirt while you get to keep your sneakers in the back of the closet. Who knew that you could make a difference in so many lives while hanging under the covers or chilling on the couch? Whether you are racing, walking, strolling, or snoozing, thank you for helping me and countless others have another day.
For information, go to www.komennwohio.org or call 419-724-2873.
Putting the "de" in front of stress
Reeling and heeling
Alison Graff was diagnosed at age 18 with stage 2B Hodgkin’s disease, a cancer of the lymphatic system. She successfully survived her illness and was devastated to receive a breast cancer diagnosis in 2009. Ms. Graff is known for her contagious enthusiasm and inner fortitude. One of her ways of coping and healing is through the non-profit organization Reeling and Healing Midwest with a sport that has been around for thousands of years: fly fishing. “I get so caught up in getting a trout to take my fly,” Graff says, “that I forget about my next chemo treatment. I am transported to a whole new level of existence and temporarily stop focusing on my health. My worries are taken downstream!”
Thanks for the mammaries
Angie Deiter went to see her doctor for an annual check-up and now is here to enjoy another year with her family and friends. During a routine exam and mammogram screening, cancer was discovered. She received a breast cancer diagnosis on August 23, 2010. In the time following her diagnosis she experienced a mountain of stress. She put the “de” in front of stress by being surrounded by energetic people who didn’t give her time to think about the struggles ahead at a “Thanks For The Mammaries” party. “To sum it up in one word it was debauchery," Deiter says. "I was so blessed to have my friends and family around me for a night of letting go. We laughed, we drank (I knew I wouldn’t be able to have a glass of anything in the months to come) and celebrated life. One thing we didn’t do is talk about the cancer. Cancer was NOT invited to the party. We rejoiced in the NOW, for we all knew that the future was uncertain.”
She also gathered a team to enter Race For The Cure and enjoyed a "Deiter Day" held at Greenwood Elementary School, organized by its principal Bill Colon and his staff. Deiter feels that the fun, support and love she experienced on “Deiter Day,” at the Race for the Cure, the party and even having her family join her in her baldness for the family Christmas card helped release a great deal of stress.
For more information about the 2012 Race for the Cure, visit the website or check out the full feature in our digital edition.