Hero Vows to Fight Cancer

(May 18, 2012) - Losing a child is a nightmare that every parent prays he/she will never experience.  However, that experience is what drives this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero.  Ten years ago, Scrapy Barnes' youngest daughter, Rachel was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the blood...all because she didn't feel well when she came home from college on Christmas break.
     "Rachel came home between Thanksgiving and Christmas of her freshman year of college with a swollen lymph node," recalls Scrapy.  "She had all the symptoms of mononucleosis and all the symptoms of pneumonia."
     And, after 3 hard years battling the disease, Rachel lost her battle with cancer.  "Rachel was 22 when she passed.  She died on July 28, 2005," explained Scrapy.  "That's why I'm so passionate to help find a cure.  We got to meet so many of her friends when Rachel was going through chemo and radiation at UK in Lexington.  We met so many people with Hodgkins Lymphoma."
     But, instead of retreating into a world of hurt and anger, Scrapy got in touch with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and began volunteering.  "I started volunteering with LLS with a program called, 'Pennies for Patients'.  It is voluntary and there's no money involved," explained Scrapy.  "With the passion I have, I just feel I can give something back that the people have given us over the past ten years."
     And, in the next few months, you will be hearing more from Scrapy and the LLS as they plan to hold an event to raise money to fight blood cancers.  "Our Light the Night awareness walk will be September the 8th at Bob Amos Park in Pikeville," said Scrapy.  And, we will be telling you more about that event as it gets closer.                                                        
     Congratulations, Scrapy Barnes, this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero!