Hendricks helps victims fight the ultimate battle against cancer
When Amy Hendricks was 11 years old, she lost two of the most important people in her life.
Her sister died of ovarian cancer and her mother died from an aneurism. Three years later, her father died from lung cancer.
And several years later, she had her own scare with cancer, when a benign spot was found on her right ovary.
Hendricks’ experiences with cancer may have helped prepare her for a new role she has chosen as the American Cancer Society (ACS) community manager for Haywood and Jackson counties.
“Cancer touches everyone,” Hendricks said. She left her job as Healthy Haywood coordinator in June 2006 to embark on the new responsibility, but she has remained connected as a member of Healthy Haywood’s cancer action team.
“Working with Healthy Haywood was truly a match made in heaven. I loved being connected to the community,” Hendricks said. “Going to work for the American Cancer Society is opening up even more doors.”
There are two facets to Hendricks’ role as ACS community manager. First is the income development task for the annual Relay for Life fund-raising events. Second, Hendricks is responsible for education, services and support groups.
“I am able to work from home, which is wonderful,” Hendricks said. Recent reports that some forms of cancer are on the decline is an indication of several things, she said.
“It means lifestyle changes, early detection, improved access to care and more money for research,” Hendricks said.
“It’s important for men and women to talk to their doctor about family history and concerns,” she said.
While it’s heart-warming to see victims of cancer survive their battles with the life-threatening disease, it’s also sad to watch the struggles, Hendricks said.
“It’s hard for me at times, when I get calls from a woman who is losing her hair or wants to know how draw her eyebrows on. It rips my heart out,” she said. “There’s a lot of sadness associated with cancer. It’s heart wrenching.” The American Cancer Society’s largest fund-raiser is the Relay for Life.
“Haywood County is such a large county that having two events addresses that. There’s a healthy competition between the Canton and Waynesville communities,” Hendricks said.
Last year, a combined total of $140,000 was raised from the two relay events. This year’s goals are $77,000 for Canton and $66,000 for Waynesville.
“The beauty of Relay for Life is how everyone comes together for a huge party to honor cancer survivors. It enables people to have hope, especially when you see the luminaries honoring those who lost their battle with cancer,” Hendricks said.
