Her whole world fell apart when Mary Halsell, a resident of Pecan Gap, a city 20 miles away from Commerce, was diagnosed with lumpectomy, a most common form of breast cancer in September of 1975.
One in 35 women die of breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), making it the second leading cause of death in women after lung cancer.
“I cried a lot and felt sad for myself,” confessed Halsell, 65 when asked what her reaction was when she was first diagnosed with cancer. “Today I feel good. After 32 1/2 years, it feels wonderful to be alive. It was a supportive doctor who helped me through it. My doctor and prayer kept me alive,” she added.
Halsell, then living in North Dakota, went through six months of radiation, which was then called “cobalt.”
“Thinking positive, never looking down and looking up is important. My doctor told me you cannot undo the damage that has been made but can look ahead, so look up and be positive. I thank him everyday for it.” said Halsell, a cancer survivor.
According to ACS, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in United States.
Halsell believes cancer research is extremely important for the cure of cancer, including breast cancer.
“Research is more positive today,” she said. “If we keep helping in the research effort, I’m certain we would find a cure.”
Halsell has lost her father, a sister and a brother to cancer.
She has been participating in the Relay for Life event at Texas A&M; University-Commerce in her effort to help other cancer patients. The event recently won second place in the per capita funds raised collegiate event category for 2007 at the American Cancer Society’s High Plains Division Leadership Summit.
“It makes me feel good to help and keep giving some hope,” said Halsell.
She is on the Relay for Life committee for luminaries. A luminary is a lit candle inside a paper bag in recognition of cancer patients. She won the recognition for number one overall fund raising individual at the event last year. She and her husband, Red Halsell, have been participating in the event since its initiation five years ago.
According to a university press release, the 2008 Relay for Life event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 4-5, at the university’s Memorial Stadium. This year’s Relay for Life theme is “Relay around the World.” Teams will be encouraged to pick a country, region or ancient civilization and decorate their camp sites accordingly. Teams will also have the opportunity to represent their chosen area through food and costumes.
Features
Related Photos
-
Courtesy photo
Discussion
Halsell, breast cancer survivor, ready for Relay for Life
- Features
-
-
Wilson leaving CHS with legacy of success
On May 11, Commerce High School Senior Buck Wilson became what he’d been training his whole life for; a state champion.
-
Top two CHS grads share friendship and competitive nature
Valedictorian Joann Jang and Salutatorian Kaitlyn Mulkey of Commerce High School have been friends for a long time.
They’re also competitive by nature. -
'All natural' art show
Objects like a seashell from a beach, or a makeshift walking stick while on a walk in the woods can be used as mementos or keepsakes to remember events by.
-
Record year for volleyball program
The Commerce Volleyball program had a record year this year, having all teams go undefeated in district play and the varsity going the furthest it’s been since 1977.
-
Mason named LSC Linebacker of the Year
A&M-Commerce senior linebacker Danny Mason has been named the 2012 Lone Star Conference Linebacker of the Year, announced late last week by league officials.
-
Kilted Monkey brings pub food, family atmosphere to Commerce
It’s obvious to anyone who walks through their doors that the Kilted Monkey, located on Live Oak Street, is unique to Commerce.
-
Northeast Texas Children’s Museum celebrates 19th year
Ten years ago the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum opened in a vacant grocery store with an uncertain future.
Today the Children’s Museum has moved to the former location of Watson’s Cafeteria on the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus and has a goal of welcoming 20,000 visitors before the year ends. -
Commerce firefighters honor comrades who fell on 9/11
There are a wide variety of events across the United States every September that honor the memory of those that died in the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The biggest heroes that emerged from those horrific events were the emergency responders in New York City, particularly the firefighters.
-
Indoor arena set to be completed this year
As manager of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Animal Science Educational Farm, Chris Ellason has a lot on his plate.
-
Neverblu hits mark with ‘Joshua’ release
It takes some guts to put out an alt. rock album these days. The genre is more closely associated with the inauthentic machismo of Nickelback than well-crafted, thought-provoking music. But that’s exactly the kind of record Dallas-based Neverblu created with their most recent release “Joshua.”
- More Features Headlines
-
Wilson leaving CHS with legacy of success
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
