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by Jamie Carter
Dupo resident Tracy Broeker didn’t plan on being this involved with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. But she didn’t plan on her mother, June Maloney, dying from ovarian cancer either. Tracy serves on the Archview Relay for Life committee which is sponsoring the local Relay for Life event this Friday, June 26th beginning at 6:30 p.m. They are celebrating Relay for Life’s 25th Anniversary and everyone is invited. It is held at AC Daugherty Field on the campus of Dupo Community Junior – Senior High School. But the real story for Tracy Broeker is how she got here.
While pregnant with her daughter Abby, Tracy’s mother, June Maloney, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. “My mother was so full of life. She was educated, talented, funny, and successful. The life of the party.” said Tracy. “A couple of years before she was diagnosed we began to notice some changes in her. She was really slowing down in general.” As time passed June began to have difficulty breathing and sometimes walking. She was bloated and retaining fluid. Tracy said, “At first they thought it might be her heart and so did we. So she went and had all kinds of tests but they found nothing wrong with heart. They sent her home with no diagnosis and shortly after she got even worse. So we took her back again and that’s when they found ovarian cancer. After her diagnosis we learned that her symptoms were classic for ovarian cancer. We just didn’t know.”
After June’s diagnosis it was an up and down time. Not only for June, but for her family who was caring for her. After chemotherapy and other treatment June experienced an upswing. She had renewed energy and a better sense of well being. But as the cancer advanced her overall health diminished until she could no longer work and needed more assistance. “My husband and I lived just down the road from Mom. Sometimes we would get a call, it could be any time day or night, and she would need help. “said Tracy. “Eventually she was staying with us more and more. And I was pregnant during all this. In the end Mom passed when my daughter Abby was four months old and my brother’s baby was eight months old. Some even suggested she was holding on because of the babies.”
Sometime after June’s death a friend of Tracy’s who worked in an oncology practice invited Tracy to the Relay for Life event in Belleville that year. “I didn’t really know if I was ready for something like that. But since I spent every day caring for my mother over the last months of her life there was now this huge void in my life.” said Tracy. “Going to my first Relay for Life event was the most amazing, uplifting experience I had ever had. I was just an observer and I thought it was so cool. Then I knew I had to do this for Mom.”
Over the course of the following year Tracy enlisted the help of some friends, organized a team and named it ‘The Junebugs’. Junebug was her mother’s nickname. Once they decided on a name they chose a ladybug as their team icon. All their booth decorations and materials incorporate the ladybug theme. Tracy’s daughter Abby has a room in their home filled with ladybugs and memorabilia to remind her of her grandmother. “Things just started to evolve. We would post a picture of Mom and provide information about her story and about ovarian cancer.” said Tracy. “People would identify with Mom’s story and some would tell us their stories. We would laugh and cry together. It became very cathartic for me.”
After a few years participating in the Belleville area Relay for Life, organizers at Archview Relay for Life approached Tracy about moving ‘The Junebugs’ team here. Vicky Foster of Archview appreciated the work done by ‘The Junebugs’ and asked Tracy to be on the committee. “We really had more of a connection here than we did at Belleville.” said Tracy. “The committee has been working hard since January meeting monthly. In addition to the committees preparation the teams have their own meetings and preparation. But Vicky Foster is tireless, she’s at it all the time. She keeps us all pumped and excited.”
The American Cancer Society and specifically the Relay for Life have educated and raised awareness nationwide regarding cancer and its effects not only on patients but family members, loved ones and care givers. “Going through the process educates you.” said Tracy. “You look back and wish you knew then what you know now. But through Relay for Life we have this opportunity to share, educate and help others.” And as a result of ‘The Junebugs’ efforts they have kept the memory and the spirit of June Maloney alive.
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