Sherry Purdy had a battle with stage one breast cancer.

"I think, like most people, I was shocked," said Purdy. "And I was very shocked, since I was very, very young,"

Although she has been cancer free for the past 24 years, Purdy says fighting cancer is something you never forget.

"Mine was not picked up on a mammogram, which I found out is very common in young women," Purdy said. "Trust your own instincts. If you think there's something wrong, push. The only way you can really know, especially with breast cancer is a biopsy. It can happen to you."

Purdy is one of five honorary chairs for Lauderdale County's Relay for Life Friday and Saturday. All have fought and won the battle against cancer.

Relay for Life is May 9-10 at Northeast Recreation Park, off Highway 39, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Funds raised from the event go toward research to try to find a cure for cancer.

Organizers have set a $300,000 goal. WTOK is a sponsor of Relay for Life.
News director, John Johnson, will emcee the event.