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Cancer survivor Cyndi Maki-Eldred stands next to a Kwanzan cherry tree dedicated on the grounds of the Delaware State News to her husband Tom, the former State News senior editor who died of lung cancer on April 5, 1010. She will be the keynote speaker at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in
Maki-Eldred to speak at Milford Relay for Life
By Craig Anderson
Delaware State News
MILFORD — One cancer survivor plans to pass along the uplifting words and attitude of her late best friend as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life unfolds in Milford Friday night.
While enduring her own bout of kidney cancer in 2010, Cyndi Maki-Eldred took great strength from her husband Tom, the longtime local journalist who had died from Stage 4 lung cancer just a short time earlier. The emotional wounds of losing her spouse hadn’t yet healed when the 54-year- old Dover resident received her own diagnosis of bad news three months after he passed away.
Mr. Eldred, who was a fitness enthusiast and regular tennis player who had never been seriously ill before the fast-moving cancer diagnosis on Oct. 7, 2009, remained strong even in the face of a life change that suddenly had him in chemotherapy and taking up to 30 pills per day before passing away on April 5, 2010.
“A source of strength for me was knowing how Tom lived his life and the response he had to his own cancer,” said Mrs. Maki-Eldred, a 28-year advertising manager at the Delaware State News, where she met her husband.
“He said ‘I’m not afraid, I’m not angry, I’m not depressed. I’ve got great children, a great loving wife and a job that I’m passionate about. I’ve had a great life.’ “He was a person who got up every day and tried to take the most out of every second he was on earth right until the end. He faced the challenge of cancer in the same way, and I took a lot from that.”
Mrs. Maki-Eldred will be the guest speaker at the 13th annual Milford event that aims to raise more than $115,000 for the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and patient service programs. There are 32 teams scheduled to circle the Milford Middle School track from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, joined by the community that will be treated to “fun, food, music, entertainment and a night under the stars,” according to relay chairwoman Lorna Petchey.
There will be plenty of activity for the kids, including moon bounces, clowns, pony rides, a puppet show, games, crafts and contests.
“It’s a big family night and fun time,” Ms. Petchey said. “Obviously there’s a serious side of it, but people of all ages are invited for a lot of different activities. The more the merrier.”
Joining the fight against cancer this year are some brave souls who will participate in the first MissTER Relay, a contest where men will compete in pageant events that include an evening gown and an interview portion.
Each contestant will take laps around the track to collect vote donations, and the winner will be determined by the most donations collected and highest score by an independent panel of judges.
From 6 to 8 p.m., attendees can purchase a luminaria in memory or honor of someone who has been touched by cancer. The luminaria bags will be placed around the track and lit during a 9 p.m. ceremony.
“I encourage everyone to come out to the event to cheer on cancer survivors during the opening ceremony and to remember everyone touched by cancer during the luminaria ceremony at dusk,” said Cancer Action Network advocate Cindy Canevari. “We invite all local cancer survivors, family and friends to attend.”
For more information about Relay for Life or cancer, call 1-800-227-2345 anytime or go to the ACS website at www.cancer.org. For information on Relay for Life of Milford, call Ms. Petchey at 725-7886 or email milfordrelayde.gmail.com
Staff writer Craig Anderson can be reached at 741-8296 or canderson@newszap.com. Follow him on Twitter@DSNAnderson.
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| Left to Right: Yvonne Kirksey, Cyndi Eldred, Jo Schmeiser |
