MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area's Relay For Life, which kicked off Friday at the Silver Bowl, recorded 111 registered cancer survivors - the highest ever at a Mount Carmel relay.
One of those survivors, Alyssa Klokis, served as honorary chair during an emotionally charged opening ceremony. On June 12, 2002, at age 28, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer.
"I remember sitting in the waiting room with my mom when the doctor came in to tell us that the biopsy was positive and that it was definitely cancer," Klokis said. "He was talking and explaining what was to happen next, but the only word I was hearing was 'cancer.'"
The news hit Klokis hard. The rest of the day was spent with a feeling that her life was falling apart and spiraling out of control. The next morning, she gained emotional strength and decided to beat the disease. Two weeks later, she had a nine-hour procedure to remove the cancer.
A routine test in 2004 revealed the cancer not only returned, but was aggressively attacking her body; it had not responded to follow-up treatments. A complication in surgery paralyzed her vocal chord, which led her to lose some of her voice.
"When I hit the six-year mark of being cancer free, I learned, yet again, that the cancer had returned," she said. "So last August I went back into surgery. Even though the cancer keeps coming back, I'm still here fighting harder than ever."
Although she has lost her thyroid, vocal chord and some lymph nodes because of the cancer, she has gained a stronger faith in God, greater love for family and friends, and improved strength within herself.
"It took me awhile to see that I am a strong person," she said. "We must always remember to never give up, never give in, stay positive and keep fighting, no matter how hard it gets."
Klokis' emotional story led up to a luminaria ceremony at 9:30 p.m. Between 500 to 600 luminarias with the names of cancer victims and survivors illuminated by candles lined the track.
"It's a quiet time, compared to the rest of the relay, where you can honor or remember someone affected by cancer," said Bonnie Janusz, luminaria chairman for the past eight years. "It's an emotional time for many people."
Janusz said luminarias will continue to glow until they burn out.
Relay activities continue today and conclude with a closing ceremony at 2 p.m.
2 to 3 a.m. - Lady Gaga lap.
4 to 5 a.m. - Three-legged foot race.
6 to 7 a.m. - Minute to Win It games.
7 a.m. - Bed head lap and the concession stand opens.
8 a.m. - Zumba.
9 a.m. - Penny Walk registration begins.
10 a.m. - Penny Walk and children's activities.
10 a.m. - Performance by the Mount Carmel Area cheerleaders.
Noon to 1:45 p.m. - Performance by The Mollywogs.
2 p.m - Closing ceremonies.