Kathy Emerson holds a picture of her mother, Betty Fletcher, whose memory is being honored at tonight’s Relay for Life. Emerson said her mother collected angels and gave her one in January 1998, and asked her to wear it every day. “I’ve had one on ever since,” she said.(The Vicksburg Post/MELANIE DUNCAN)

[04/05/02] Kathy Emerson likes to remember her late mother, a cancer victim, through the words of a verse in 2 Timothy: “I have fought a good fight, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith.”

And because of Betty Fletcher’s inspiration to so many who knew her, this year’s Relay for Life in Warren County will be dedicated to the woman who for several years spearheaded volunteer efforts in the event.

“She was an active, wonderful volunteer who was dedicated to the Cancer Society and promoted fighting cancer,” said Lynda Akers, publicity chairman for Warren County Relay for Life.

Relay for Life is an overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of local branches of the American Cancer Society. In the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

Fletcher, a resident of Vicksburg for 34 years, died of breast cancer in August after a sporadic battle with the disease since 1974. A member of the board of the American Cancer Society, Fletcher also lent her support to other cancer-fighting organizations, such as Reach for Recovery, in which she would visit breast cancer patients in the hospital following their surgery and often took many of them to Jackson for prosthetic fittings.

Emerson said when her mother had a second mastectomy in 1995, she was out visiting other cancer patients just four days later.

“She lived her life as if each day was her last,” said Emerson. “She loved life period.”

Fletcher became actively involved in the Warren County Relay for Life between 1993 and 1994.

“Unfortunately I never got the chance to meet her, but I know she was very active and very loved,” said Naomi Boswell, chairman of this year’s local event. “When you mention her name, everyone lights up.”

Emerson said Fletcher was chosen for the honor by the ACS of Jackson, along with many who had known and worked with her mother in the organization.

“They called and asked me if I thought she would have approved of it, and I told them I thought she would have been honored,” said Emerson.

Fletcher endured 13 months of chemotherapy after her first cancer diagnosis. Following a remission, she had a reoccurrence in 1979 and underwent cobalt treatments. She received a clean bill of health from doctors from 1980 until 1995, when her cancer returned in her other breast.

“She used to always ask me why she was still here on this earthshe could never understand the importance of what she was doing for others,” said Emerson. “I know (the reason she lived so long with the illness) was because of her work with organizations like Relay for Life. She touched so many people’s lives,” Emerson said.

Relay for Life will begin at 6 tonight at the Warren County High School track with a survivor reception, followed by an opening ceremony in which Emerson will accept a plaque on her mother’s behalf. The event will also feature luminaries, which are lighted memorials for cancer victims, in an additional ceremony with names of those they honor scrolled for the public’s view. They can be purchased for $10.

Various music groups, along with games for everyone from toddlers to adults, will be a part of the event as well. An awards ceremony will be held at 6 a.m. Saturday.

“Cancer doesn’t sleep,” said Boswell, “That’s why we feel everyone can give up one night of their life to raise money for this cause.”

Registration for the event is $10, but greater donations are welcome and encouraged, said Boswell. All proceeds will go to the Warren County branch of ACS.