NORWICH – The Chenango County Relay for Life is a chance to bring together people whose lives have been touched by cancer. This year, two of the women marching were brought together, not by the Relay, but by cancer itself.
Three and a half years ago, Julia Whitney was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31. Through her doctor, she was put in touch with a six-year breast cancer survivor, Martha Romahn.
“I was scared to death. I kept thinking what am I going to do,” Julia said. “Martha told me, you’ll survive. You’ll make it through.”
Martha understood what Julia was going through, having had a lumpectomy when she was diagnosed with breast cancer six years before. She helped Julia understand what was going on and what would be happening over the course of the treatment. “When you’re first told, it feels like it’s done, it’s over,” Martha said. “The not knowing is what frightened me the most.” Martha talked to Julia about chemo therapy and explained what it would feel like.
Julia’s cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, and she had to undergo an aggressive chemo therapy regiment.
“Hearing from somebody else who had been there really helped,” said Julia. The two never met. Julia had to undergo a double mastectomy. After the chemo therapy, she said she wanted to go on with the rest of her life.
Nearly three years later, Julia started working at DCMO BOCES. She was shocked when one day she heard a familiar voice. Although they had never met, Julia said Martha has a voice that is unmistakable. “I approached her and said I think I know you,” Julia said.
Martha, who owned The Bagel Buddy in Norwich prior to joining the BOCES staff, thought she probably knew Julia from her previous job. She was floored when Julia asked if she was a cancer survivor.
“It was as if we had known each other the whole time. It was three years later, but it felt like yesterday,” said Martha.
Martha and Julia had both walked in the Relay for Life before, but this year they will be walking together as members of the BOCES Class Act team.
Although it was a difficult ordeal, Martha insists if she had a choice she wouldn’t change the way cancer affected her life. “I value life more. Little things don’t seem to matter,” she explained.
Martha and Julia both agree that they were not the only ones affected when they were diagnosed. “My daughter was a senior in high school when I was diagnosed. She had to do the things for me that I was not able to do. Now she is an RN in the oncology unit in Saint Joe’s Hospital,” Martha said.
Julia’s family was similarly affected. “My son was nine at the time. Thomas had to be my primary care giver. It made him and I so close,” Julia said.
Both Julia and Martha encourage women to perform monthly self exams to check for breast cancer. “Doctors don’t know everything. You need to know your body,” said Julia.
The Relay for Life raises money for cancer research through donations. Martha explained that while it might not seem like much progress is being made in the field of cancer research, work is being done. “Just in the time I’ve gone through this, so much has changed. They are different treatments all the time,” she said.
The Relay for Life will be held on July 13 and 14 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. “It’s an upbeat activity. There will be live music and entertainment,” said Julia. The relay also includes a survivors lap, in which Julia a 3 and a half year survivor and Martha a 10 year survivor, will join other cancer survivors for a lap around the track.
For more information on the Chenango County Relay for Life or to make a donation, visit the web site at www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=205738 or contact Julia Whitney at Julia48cny@yahoo.com.