Published: November 15, 2009 11:45 pm      

Cheerleaders unite in fight against cancer

Ashland — Ashland Youth Basketball cheerleaders were united Saturday in a common fight: winning the battle against cancer.

When the uniforms of five squads did not arrive in time for their first games, Hager Elementary coach Sherri Love got the idea to dress the girls in extra Relay for Life T-shirts.

To further bring the message home to spectators that anyone can be touched by the disease, each cheerleader wore the name of a cancer survivor or victim on a patch on her T-shirt.

“That’s one thing with cancer. Everybody is affected by it some way,” said Love, 41.

“Everybody knows someone who has either lost the battle, is fighting the battle or has won the battle with cancer. So they all came up with their own (names).”

Hager cheerleader Brinn Stamper, 10, wore the name of one of her peers - Love’s son, T.J. — on her uniform Saturday.

T.J. Love was diagnosed with cancer at 3 but has beaten the odds and at 10 plays basketball for Hager.

Tori Cole, 10, wore the name of her cousin, Cameron Boyd, 5, who is battling cancer. Boyd, Cole said, attends all her games and she wanted him to know she cares about him and is praying for his recovery.

Shiann Knipp, 11, honored her late grandfather, Ed Sexton.

“I miss him. I’ve got pictures all over my wall,” she said, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

“There is a girl here named Sue Sexton and my papaw loved her. She was his wife. She’s up there with my mom right now. She didn’t see it yet, but she’s probably going to cry,” Knipp predicted.

Several of Knipp’s teammates said their parents also had similar reactions when they saw their honorees.

“My dad was very happy when he saw my pappy’s name on my chest. He hugged me and said ‘I’m really proud of you,’” said Emilee Mitchell, 10, who honored her paternal grandfather, Charles Mitchell.

“I miss him every day,” she said, adding she feels proud.

“It’s just really sad how people lose their family members every day and they have to fight with them through it,” said Rachel Gould, 11, who also honored T.J. Love.

Charles Russell cheerleading coach Cyndi Salley, a cancer survivor, was honored by many of her cheerleaders, including her daughter, Ashlee, on Saturday.

“I think it’s an honor, and it’s an honor to honor someone else,” said Salley, who wore the name of her grandmother, a colon cancer survivor. “Hopefully we’ll find a cure very soon.”

Love agreed. She said she has challenged all cheerleaders to participate in a Relay for Life event in May and hopes the Cheer for a Cure event has also inspired others to walk.

Registration for Relay for Life begins next month.

In addition to Love’s and Salley’s squads, two other squads from Charles Russell Elementary School and a squad from Oakview Elementary also participated in Cheer for a Cure.

CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.