BILLINGS - While Friday's Relay for Life was about fundraising for a cancer cure, it was also about celebrating life and victory over cancer, as hundreds of cancer survivors, their friends, and their families attended a survivor's dinner to commemorate their hard-fought achievement.
Despite the warm Friday afternoon temperatures, the survivors packed Billings West High School's gymnasium. Survivors ranged from being in remission for decades, or those who are just going into remission.
Rodney Tanner, who lives in Laurel, said he had a form of cancer so rare that he is one of only three males in the whole United States to have it. He got the diagnosis over a decade ago.
"I'm 13 years into remission," said Rodney, who has taken part in Relay for Life in Billings since 2009. Before that, he took part in Relay for Life in North Carolina for years.
Sitting near Rodney at the Survivor's Dinner was Dan Blom, who got the grim diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer in 2011 and received treatment in early 2012.
"Went to Mayo on March 20th, and had my esophagus removed," said Dan. "They said they got it all."
For both Rodney and Dan, the dinner Friday was about getting together with those who've been down the same road and learn from their experience.
"You learn a lot about different things. Seeing a lot of different people, different kinds of cancers that they go through," said Rodney.
"It's nice to be able to sit down, and talk to people that understand," said Dan.
For both Rodney and Dan, Relay for Life in 2012, which fell on Friday the 13th, is definitely one for the books.
"It's really nice to be able to say 'I fought it, I beat it, and I'm still here,'" said Rodney.
"You get a new lease on life. There's a lot of people who unfortunately don't make it. I'm just thrilled that I get a second chance to live life," said Dan.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48182697/ns/local_news-billings_mt/
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