Relay For Life 2011 from CMLifeVideo on Vimeo.

The CMU women’s basketball head coach has lost her mother to cancer and two aunts to breast cancer.

“My family has been hit by cancer,” she said. “It’s in my genes.”

At 4 p.m. Saturday at McGuirk Arena, Guevara and the rest in attendance will honor the Kay Yow Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Cancer Fund when the Chippewas host their annual Pink Zone game against Kent State.

Wrist bands and ribbons will be sold for one dollar each during the game and there will also be opportunities to make monetary donations to the Kay Yow Fund.

“The more financially we can help as far as research and making people aware of signs and symptoms to be preventative,” Guevara said. “The more educated we are the better.”

Aside from the Pink Zone cancer awareness event that will take place there will be a basketball game played with big implications.

CMU currently sits in a second-place tie in the Mid-American Conference West Division and two games back of Toledo. Toledo’s only division loss this season came at the hands of the Chippewas at McGuirk Arena back on Jan. 19.

KSU is in a first-place tie in the MAC East with Bowling Green.

“We are trying our best to win right now and Kent State is first in line for us,” said freshman forward Taylor Johnson. “We have got to take it one game at a time. We have got one goal, this team will be ready to go.”

CMU is currently on a three-game win streak after last week’s back-to-back road wins against Miami and Ohio. The team had a bye week in college basketball terms this week, with no mid-week game scheduled.

The Chippewas have six games left on the schedule and four of those games will be played at McGuirk Arena.

A strong finish to the season at home will be key for this teams success after the regular season finishes.

“The most important game we are going to play is the one we are ready to play, against Kent State,” Guevara said. “You don’t look ahead you don’t look behind you look at right now what is staring us in the face, and it’s the Golden Flashes.”

Some would argue this is the most important game of the season for CMU. Crossover play in the MAC is almost finished and Kent State is one of the stronger opponents CMU will face the rest of the season.

The Golden Flashes are led by Taisja Jones and Jamila Humes, who averages 16.8 and 14.2 points per game, respectively.

This game will have the expectations as being one of the bigger games on the schedule for this weekend in MAC play.

“I don’t think there is any doubt,” Guevara said. “This team will be ready.”

The Mount Pleasant sophomore, who died at her home Monday, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma when she was a freshman at Mount Pleasant High School, 1155 S. Elizabeth St., but still managed to compete in the state championships for cross country running.

Her mother, Lynn Simons, said Hannah spent the first year of treatment getting 14 rounds of chemotherapy. After being discharged cancer-free, it returned three months later.

“If you can imagine a kid who is in chemo still practicing with the team,” Simons said, “that was impressive.”

Simons said Hannah spent the next four years receiving treatment at the University of Michigan Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas and the University of Pennsylvania.

She underwent four thoracotomies, a surgery involving incision into the space between the lungs, had two courses of radiation and 900 doses of chemotherapy. Simons said Hannah endured all this and still managed to graduate high school on time.

In college, Hannah studied history. She worked a part-time job at Spinning Wheels Arena, 1241 N. Mission Road, and spent the rest of her time doing volunteer work.

She was a humanist who valued nature and the cycle of life, Simons said. Hannah volunteered for the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter and had adopted a dog, Sophie.

Queens University student and Mount Pleasant resident Jamie McDevitt-Irwin met Hannah in 6th grade and was with her all the way through high school. She said Hannah was her best friend and that she was inspired by how Hannah never allowed cancer to bring her down.

“She’s had cancer since ninth grade and she’s never let it define her,” McDevitt-Irwin said. “Some people didn’t even know she had cancer because she was so happy all the time.”

McDevitt-Irwin said she came down from school this weekend to hang out one last time with Hannah. She said they watched movies and talked.

She said Hannah was the strongest person she had ever met.

“I think she just wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives,” McDevitt-Irwin said. “She was an inspiration.”

Mount Pleasant sophomore Taylor Bourns was Hannah’s friend since middle school and said she will remember Hannah’s spirit and the way she touched people’s lives.

“She had a great smile that could light up the room,” Bourns said. “She’ll be remembered by everyone.”

Hannah’s visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m on Friday at Clark Family Funeral Chapel, 114 S. Bradley Road.

Despite the chilly windy air about 200 people showed up to “Into the Light,” a cancer awareness event sponsored by Community Cancer Services of Isabella County, to show their support for cancer survivors and their families.

Friendly hugs and smiles were shared amongst attendants, especially for those wearing a survivor pin.

“Educating yourselves is what community cancer services are doing tonight,” said Keisha Brown, a speaker at the event and breast cancer survivor. “The money raised here tonight is to help the fight.”

The walk is the biggest money maker for community cancer services and most of it goes towards mileage for patients that are too sick to drive themselves to treatments, said Amy Bourns, a member of the planning committee.

Money raised also pays for mammograms during the month of October for people that don’t have insurance, the Mount Pleasant resident said.

Bourns got involved with cancer services a year ago after she lost her father to a two-year battle with lung cancer.

“I wanted to do something in memory of him,” she said. “This year the team I’m on raised $3,000 other teams raised even more.”

In order to raise money for the event people formed teams to sell luminaries, that don’t have a set cost; people can donate whatever they want for them, Bourns said.

People and business also donated money, some of the largest donors were Morbark Inc. and the Morey Foundation, she said. Items such as gift certificates and homemade blankets were auctioned off.

Many volunteered for the event.

“I’m really passionate about raising money for cancer research,” said freshman Brittany Johnston who was volunteering at the event. “Especially since my family has been particularly affected by cancer.”

Sue Richmond, event co-chairmen, said the amount raised varies year to year and can range between $30,000 to 60,000 for Isabella County. To date they have raised over $26,000, but are still accepting donations.

Richmond and a few friends started the event 12 years ago because they wanted to do something on their own to raise money that would stay in the community.

“Everyone knows someone affected by cancer in some way,” said co-chairmen Sue Richmond. “This walk is a great way to show support for a sister, brother or friend.”

Walsh, a 24-year cancer survivor and chairman of Into the Light Services, became involved with the walk at the urging of her son years ago.

She was hesitant to attend and talk about her cancer, but recognized the event’s importance.

“I walked around the track and realized I am a survivor,” Walsh said. “The day is really quite emotional.”

Community Cancer Services of Isabella County will host the 12th annual Into the Light Cancer Walk at 3 p.m. today in Island Park. This year’s ceremony is filled with entertainment, games, food and a scavenger hunt for children.

Keisha Brown, head women’s basketball coach at Alma College and two-time cancer survivor, will speak at 7 p.m. in the park, 331 N. Main St.

“These are positive stories,” Walsh said. “Sometimes cancer can be so tragic, but this is upbeat.”

Cancer survivors will lead a walk through the luminary lit path after the speakers.

Luminaries are purchased and lit for cancer survivors and by family members for people they have lost.

Amy Bourns, member of the Into the Light cancer walk committee, said most of the fundraising is done ahead of time. There is no pressure to purchase a luminary or donate.

“The best way to help is to just come down to the registration booth at Island Park and volunteer,” Bourns said. “We want to make the community aware of cancer.”

This is one of the largest fundraisers to support their services. Walsh said 800 to 1,000 people attended last year’s walk.

All proceeds stay in the Isabella County Community Cancer Services to help people needing funds for gas when going to cancer treatments, experimental chemotherapy medications and cancer research, Walsh said. For the month of October, they will also pay for mammograms for women without health insurance.

Over $30,000 was raised last year for Community Cancer Services of Isabella County.

This year the major sponsors are Isabella Bank, Central Michigan Hospital, Morey Foundation, Krapohl Ford and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

“This is a wonderful, wonderful group that hopes to make the community aware of cancer,” Bourns said. “Everybody has been touched in their lives by cancer somehow.”

Friday morning, Health Professions Building room 257 was filled with members of the CMU Physician Assistant program who gathered to show support for Nelson, adjunct professor and president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

He was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer six weeks ago.

“We’re amazed at how much he’s done for the program and the profession, and at how one person can do so much,” said Laura Maxwell, Fenton graduate student.

Each of the more than 90 students in the program sported light blue matching T-shirts as a sign of unity and solidarity for Ron’s involvement and presented him with a giant check made out for $548.80, the amount raised from their T-shirt fundraiser.

The money will be donated to a cancer research charity of Nelson’s choice.

After the presentation was made, Nelson uttered an emotional “Wow!” as he faced the room full of students and faculty members.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Nelson said. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”

In spite of his ailment, Nelson remains very positive, both with his prognosis and the opportunities this challenge will provide him.

“Adversity changes perspective,” he said. “Each day becomes a good day … I am a better teacher because of this.”

Nelson has taught at CMU for 12 years and he serves as adjunct faculty at Western Michigan University and Grand Valley State University as well. In addition to being the president of the AAPA, he is also President/CEO of Health Services Associates, a medical consulting firm for hospitals and practices in rural or underserved communities, and the co-founder of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics.

He was also named CMU’s Preceptor of the Year in 2007-2008.

Dr. Ahmad Hakemi, director of the physician assistant program, said he is impressed with Nelson’s reaction to his diagnosis and “despite the bad news, he never lost an hour of lecture,” even wearing a chemotherapy bag on his hip during class.

The students’ responses to the news were likewise optimistic.

“I’m very hopeful,” Maxwell said. “It was a shock. He’s very positive and he knows the steps he needs to take.”

Nelson will continue teaching throughout his treatment and he said he’s looking forward to the chance to grow in overcoming this adversity.

The voice on the other line belonged to her doctor. He had news no individual wants to hear: cancer.

“I didn’t know what to think,” she said. “I didn’t think it could happen to me.”

However, the Eaton Rapids senior is not alone in her experience with the disease.

Central Michigan University’s sixth annual Relay for Life  raised $54,712 in donations for the American Cancer Society.

Over 1,000 students, faculty and community members gathered in the Student Activity Center’s Large Sports Forum from 4 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Saturday.

Participants walked the SAC’s indoor track to represent the enduring struggle of those affected by cancer.

Rakowski is the survivor event chair for Relay for Life.

She became involved with the Colleges Against Cancer registered student organization after her personal experience. She is now cancer free and has been in remission for nearly two years.

The donated funds will go toward more than just research, Rakowski said.

“A lot of it goes towards getting people to their treatments, getting them treated, and of course, research,” she said.

There were about 20 cancer survivors at the event, each of them with a similar story.

The survivors walked the first lap at Relay for Life during the opening Celebration Ceremony.

“I don’t know if you realize how much it means for me as a survivor,” Rakowski said. “It’s not just what I’ve gone through, it’s what everyone has gone through that you’re walking with. It’s a proud moment.”

Over 71 fundraising teams registered.

Each team had a table set up on the lower floor of the SAC and hosted a variety of fundraisers.

Students could also donate money to participate in sporting competitions and enjoy a variety of live musical and improv performances.

Eaton Rapids sophomore Kelly Wright and Bay City senior Derek Gainsforth were the captains of Thorpe Hall’s team.

“We all don’t have a lot of money, but we come here and give what we can,” Gainsforth said. “(Cancer) is an issue that affects everyone, whether it’s your family or yourself. We all need to fight this together.”

Gaylord senior Ashley Lewandowski enjoyed decorating luminaria bags illuminated by glow sticks.

The bags emitted a soft glow and were clearly visible in the dark of the night.

“It gave me chills just to see every single one,” she said. “Who doesn’t know someone affected by cancer?”

Two local doctors said new national guidelines for mammography, which changed from age 40, should not be a cause for concern.

The United States Preventive Task Force looks at different issues in American health and recently looked at issues in mammography.

Dr. Ahmad Hakemi, a physician assistant program director at Central Michigan University, said these are simply guidelines done by a United States independent agency and, when making these guidelines, it looks at cost effectiveness and saving lives.

“Studies show the number of lives we save are miniscule compared to the mammograms given. The issue with younger mammograms is they aren’t as accurate because most of what they find is benign,” Hakemi said. “Starting at 40, there’s a one in 250,000 chance that it will be cancer.”

The inaccuracy of mammograms before age 50 was another area of concern that shaped the new guidelines. The task force noted the increased worrying and unnecessary tests that are the result of the early mammograms can do more harm than good.

Dr. David Howell, medical director for radiation at Norval K. Morey Cancer Center at Central Michigan Community Hospital, 1221 South Drive, said screened mammography in women reduces the death rate by 15 percent, compared to people who do not get screened.

Howell said much of the guidelines come down to complicated math. The task force found that in women ages 40 to 49, one death is prevented in 1,900 women annually screened for the 10-year period.

The guidelines are saying the Task Force has found this small difference, but it is not certain if that difference is worthwhile, leading to the change in guidelines.

‘Valid’ guidelines

Howell said he realizes the subject is sensitive with all the emotional personal stories and anecdotes seen in the media. It is hard to grasp the concept that not everyone needs a mammogram before age 50 when people have automatically assumed breast cancer equals death, he said.

With only a slight increase in death reduction for women ages 40 to 49 who receive annual mammograms, Howell said women who do not feel this small percent warrants a yearly mammogram until age 50 should not be stigmatized. Hakemi also agrees.

“I feel these guidelines are valid, it just depends on the woman and her risk factors,” Hakemi said.

Both doctors said women with an increased risk of breast cancer in their family should begin mammograms earlier than those without risk factors.

Though people are concerned with possible changes in insurance coverage, nothing can happen immediately.

“This is just information being put out. Nothing has been said that woman can’t get mammograms at 40, and nothing to say that insurance won’t cover it,” Howell said.