Glasgow Daily Times, Glasgow, KY

Local News

September 6, 2008

Cancer survivor named hero of hope

Amy Anderson doesn’t consider herself a hero, even though she’s been named a “Hero of Hope” by the American Cancer Society’s Mid-South Division.

“I’m really humbled that I was selected, but I don’t consider myself a hero – I consider myself a survivor,” Anderson said. “I know there are a lot of people who went through a lot more than I did, diagnosed at more advanced stages, but I do feel like it’s my duty to represent, raise awareness.”

Anderson, 35, was diagnosed with early stage invasive breast cancer Oct. 8, 2004, and said that since her treatment began, she’s been involved with Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“I Relayed that first year as I was going through treatment and became involved with the local committee last year,” Anderson said. “In addition to the teams I work with, I was asked to help volunteer with the team development committee. I guess I’ve just expanded on out to that, with some of the advocacy programs, spreading awareness and working on legislation to support us.”

Anderson was nominated by Michelle Heil, the Bowling Green ACS representative, along with 25 others from the mid-south region.

“I recently went to a training in Birmingham (Ala.), and we were trained for media events, speaking at Relay and American Cancer Society events,” Anderson said. “We discussed the main platform, issues for the cancer society, research funding, statistics, education programs, services provided by the cancer society and how we can help spread the word.”

Anderson has worked as a guidance counselor for the Barren County School District since 2001.

“This is my third year back at Barren County Middle School,” she said. “I actually worked here previously, beginning in 2001, for three years. I worked here and at Barren County High School as a counselor for both schools, so this is my sixth year associated with the middle school. I had a gap in between. During that gap, I helped start BAVEL (Barren Academy of Virtual and Expanded Learning), and worked with the district on that and then came back full time. All my treatments were over and everything was going well. Everything’s still going well.”

Anderson said she encourages people to pay attention to their bodies and go to the doctor if they notice anything different.

“I was 31 when I was diagnosed, so early detection saves lives,” she said. “I detected my cancer myself and it did save my life, because I wouldn’t have had a mammogram until I was 40 years old. I just really want to share that message with young women to do self-exams and if you have any concerns to go to the doctor and get medical attention. I know that’s true with all types of cancer, that early detection is the greatest weapon that we have in fighting it.”

Anderson added that the ACS funds more than $100 million a year in research.

“Over the last 60 years, there have been more than 20,000 grants,” she said.

Michelle Heil said Relay for Life also contributes a large amount to the funds raised.

“At last year’s Relay, we raised over $190,000,” Heil said.

Anderson said she plans on using her title to make people aware of the help they could give.

“My main goal with serving as a Hero of Hope is to encourage others to get involved, to help raise money, to join the fight,” she said. “Every advance, every dollar raised, every research grant funded may mean saved lives. It may mean a cure someday.”

Next year, the Barren County Relay for Life will be June 12 and 13.

For information on creating a team, contact Anderson at 651-4909 or Angie Frazier at 651-6315.

Text Only
Local News
  • 0210 Betty Brogan 1.tif Local artist paints what she loves

    When Betty Brogan paints, she is able to escape the humdrum of everyday activity.

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • Tyson to give keynote talk for health conference

    Donna Tyson’s enthusiasm for life is apparent with every word she speaks. A motivational speaker for the last 25 years, Tyson travels around the country sharing her story and encouraging others to find joy in their lives.

    February 11, 2012

  • Senate approves redistricting map

    The state legislature couldn’t agree on a plan to re-draw Kentucky’s six congressional districts, so the state’s congressional delegation stepped in and Friday the General Assembly finally passed a plan, although not without some angry dissent from a couple of central Kentucky Republican state senators.

    February 11, 2012

  • MORNING UPDATE: GFD responds to car fire

    February 10, 2012

  • Two arrested on criminal trespass, public intoxication charges

    February 10, 2012

  • Tax reform suggestions coming by Nov. 15

    Gov. Steve Beshear on Thursday announced the members of a Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform and said it will offer recommendations by Nov. 15 to make the state’s tax system more responsive to changes in the economy and fairer for taxpayers.

    February 10, 2012

  • Released felon arrested again

    It was what jail officials were afraid would happen, and in fact they anticipated.

    February 10, 2012

  • More infected bats found in state

    White-nose syndrome has been detected in another  Kentucky county, but it has yet to be found at Mammoth Cave National Park.

    February 10, 2012

  • Ambulance board OKs outsource billing

    After a thorough discussion during Wednesday’s board meeting, the Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Medical Services  decided to outsource its billing to AMB-MARS (Medical Accounts Receivable Systems doing business as AMBulance Medical Billing), contingent on AMB-MARS adding a guarantee clause on its work.

    February 9, 2012

  • 0209 Youth of the Year 1.jpg Teen named local youth of the year

    Rayne Triplett has been practicing the speech she will give at the end of the month when she travels to Frankfort to compete for the Boys and Girls Club’s 2012 State Youth of the Year title. 

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

AP Video
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion' 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Seasonal Content
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook