Mallery Nyman is marking 10 years as a cancer survivor at Relay for Life

Jeff Broddle | Cadillac News Server Jessica Oakes and assistant manager Mallery Nyman review a seating chart at Bob Evans. Nyman is a 10-year cancer survivor and the Relay Queen for the Wexford County Relay for Life, June 22 and 23. Learn more about the Wexford and Osceola Relays scheduled for this weekend on page C4.

CADILLAC — Mallery Nyman no longer saves the good china for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“Life’s too short to save the good stuff,” she resolved.

Nyman threw out her everyday dishes after surviving breast cancer. Now she celebrates life and family with a new appreciation.

Ten years ago, during self-examination, Nyman found a small hard lump in her breast.

A convenience store cashier with no health insurance, she called the health department for help. Luckily, they had a program for low-income women. One week later she had a mastectomy.

Ten years later she is a changed woman. Not only is she cancer free, she’s now a restaurant manager for Bob Evans and in addition, an advocate for the American Cancer Society who lobbies both in Lansing and Washington, D.C. to promote cancer research and funding.

On Friday she will be an ambassador in the Wexford County Relay for Life, speaking about her experience and leading one of the three survivor laps.

“The biggest reason I support Relay for Life,” she explained, “is that research is very important. The American Cancer Society provides the research for recovery programs. I’m the sixth woman in three generations to have breast cancer. I want the legacy to stop with me. I have a daughter, daughter-in-law and two granddaughters. I want these beautiful wonderful young women to never have to live with this.”

Nyman credits a Michigan program for low-income women with saving her life. The Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) provided her with medical testing and treatment.

Last week she was in Lansing to lobby for two bills before the legislature — one to make Michigan a non-smoking state (in public places) and the other to reinstate programs that provide cancer screening for low-income people.

“That bill,” she admitted, “is near and dear to my heart. Only 1 in 1,500 can get (BCCCP) help because funding is low. That’s a lot of lives that are in danger.”

“For awhile,” she confessed, “I was terribly frightened that I wouldn’t be here, that I would miss out on the fun stuff with my five grandkids.”

Her first granddaughter, Alexis, was six months old when Nyman was diagnosed. Now 10, Alexis will attend Relay for Life events with Grandma.

ATTENTION CANCER SURVIVORS

Relay for Life will once again be honoring cancer survivors in our area. Cancer survivors include those who continue to struggle everyday with the disease as well as those who have been cancer free for many years. Through their strength, courage and mere presence, survivors offer hope and a personal testimony to the progress that is being made for a cure.

On Friday, cancer survivors begin the Relay with a special walk around the track followed by a dinner reception provided by Lakeside Charlie’s. There are two more survivor laps: 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 11 a.m followed by a survivor luncheon provided by B.C. Pizza.

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Relay for Life

Relay for Life is a fun-filled overnight event to honor and celebrate cancer survivors and raise money for American Cancer Society research and programs. During the event teams of people gather at the Veteran’s Memorial Stadium and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

This year’s event features a Luminary Ceremony, entertainment and activities, a kid’s fun fair and survivor laps.