RELAY FOR LIFE

MY DAD
JOHN K. DAVIS
11/7/40-10/25/06

I know many of you are in the midst of adoptions and fundraisers etc. We are still in that process too, however, I am very involved in Relay for Life. I lost my dad to a four year battle with cancer. In September of 2002 he was diagnosed with colon cancer. In April of 2003 he was told he was cancer free. In May of 2003 he hurt his back while pulling on an empty wheelbarrow and broke a rib leaning over in the car against his seatbelt. We found out that he had three fractures in his spine and needed immediate major surgery. During the surgery the doctors were going to use some of his ribs to create new vertebrae for him. They picked up two ribs and they broke in their hands. Then while removing the broken vertebrae two more vertebrae just fell off of his spine. He ended up losing nine vertebrae in all. After spending a month in the hospital it was discovered that the breaking bones was due to Multiple Myeloma which is a cancer of the bone marrow. This cancer was completely unrelated to his colon cancer. He spent the next couple of years driving to Little Rock, Arkansas, five hours away, for treatments. At one point in time they had harvested his stem cells in hopes of a bone marrow transplant of his own cells that had been "cleaned". He was never healthy enough again for the transplant. In the beginning of his treatment for his Multiple Myeloma it was discovered that his colon cancer had metastasized to his liver. Over the next couple of years it also went into his lungs and spleen. My dad was the CEO of Sho-Me-Power in Marshfield,MO for over 30 years and he never quit working during all of his treatments, surgeries and four years of chemotherapy. He received an award two weeks before he passed away and these pictures are from that time. My dad is my hero and I miss him so very much. He fought so hard and his poor body could just not do it anymore. He is the reason I started getting involved in Relay for Life. My little town of just 6,000 people has raised as much as $75,000 for the American Cancer Society through our local Relay for Life. Last year was the hardest Relay for me because I knew that I was walking for a cure but unfortunately it was too late for my Daddy. I didn't know at the time but this year is going to be even harder. In October of 2007 just a couple of weeks before the anniversary of my dad's death, my mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. My brother and I were devastated. Fortunately her cancer was found early and she underwent a lumpectomy and radiation treatment and is currently cancer free.
My family: Mom/Nancy, brother Kent, Me, Dad/John

I am writing my story in my blog today because I am trying to reach my personal goal for my fundraising this year. I am a member of the Bunco Babes Relay for Life Team and our first year doing Relay we raised over $3,000. We are trying to raise $5,500 this year. My personal goal is to raise $500. If you would be willing to help me achieve this goal I would be so appreciative. The American Cancer Society is a tax deductible contribution and receipts will be sent to anyone who donates. If you only can send a $1, it's a dollar more than I have right now. If everyone that reads this sends a $1 I will be so close to my goal. If you would like to donate, please send a check made out to the American Cancer Society and send to
Cammie Heflin
102 Brook Hills Drive
Marshfield, MO 65706

I Relay in memory of my daddy, John K. Davis and in honor of my mom, Nancy Davis. I will be walking from 7pm to 7am on June 20th/21st. I appreciate everyone's contributions.

Thank you for your support.