By Richard Carrier
Contributing Writer

When Elizabeth Lovella Benton leads the 12th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life Survivor’s Victory Lap around the track at Powhatan Junior High School on May 30, she will have no problem recognizing the significance of the event.

Benton, the Honorary Chairperson for the 2008 Relay event, is a seven year survivor of breast cancer.

The insidious disease has claimed both family members and close friends: colon cancer took her father in 1967, a younger sister succumbed to lung cancer in 2001 and her sister-in-law died from ovarian cancer in 2003. As a stalwart member of the Old Powhatan Baptist Church, she has seen far too many of that congregation also fall to the disease.

During Powhatan’s Relay For Life celebration, Boy Scouts will light hundreds of luminaria spaced around the track to honor those lost to cancer, recognize those who are fighting the disease and celebrate those who have fought the disease and won.

“I can’t begin to tell you what it feels like to see all of the survivors. It is such an honor to lead the survivors and to be recognized as the Honorary Chairperson,” Benton said. “As a survivor, I am so blessed. Every day is a gift and anything I can do to help another cancer patient, I’m willing.”

The 70-year-old mother of five and grandmother of ten moved from Atlanta, Ga. with her husband, Lamar, 32 years ago and immediately became involved in the community. She has been a team captain for Relay For Life the past five years and works diligently for the Coalition of Powhatan Churches. A tireless fundraiser, she is currently juggling the raffles, fashion shows and other fund raisers for the Relay For Life with fund raising for the Spring Antique Power Show, the Coalition of Churches sole fund raiser.

Her faith-based life style dictates her thoughts about the medical aspects of the disease.

“I give thanks to God for giving the scientists the knowledge for all the breakthroughs in cancer research,” she said.

“Cancer never sleeps and it has no preferences,” she said, pointing out that it affects children, even infants. “We must Relay, to help those yet to be diagnosed, as well as those who are fighting this disease now. It gives us hope.”

Mrs. Benton believes she was selected for this honor, “because I’m just so gung ho. It’s just so important to me.”

Sharon Pierce, Income Director for the Central Virginia Region of the American Cancer Society agreed.

“Liz Benton has been doing this great work for the American Cancer Society ever since I’ve been here,” she said. That work includes helping last years Relay For Life generate $187,000. According to Benton, this year’s goal of $215,000 will be difficult to reach, as the organization has suffered due to a lack of a volunteer for the all important Chairperson’s position.

But reaching the goal is possible “if 100 percent of the community is behind it. If everybody realizes how important their donations and participation in the program is, we can do it,” she said.