NORMAL -- Kim Stephan is walking a lot of laps around the Normal Community West High School track this weekend, but the biggest step she took was her first one onto the track, surrounded by her friends Friday afternoon.

"I'm ready to move forward from being a cancer patient to being a cancer advocate," said Stephan, 50, of Normal. "This is a turning point for me."

Stephan and her team --called the Bunco Babes because they play Bunco once a month -- are participating in their first American Cancer Society Relay For Life of McLean County to celebrate Stephan's one-year cancer survival and to honor and help others.

They are among 146 teams and 1,700 people who are walking or running at Relay this weekend to raise money for cancer research, patient services and education and to honor cancer survivors and those who have lost their battle to the disease, said Relay Co-chairwomen Sharon Kocher and Pam Garrett. Many participants camped overnight in the 24-hour event because each team must have at least one representative on the track at all times.

McLean County's Relay -- which began at noon Friday -- is the largest in the state. This year's fundraising goal is $620,000, and $497,000 was raised by 6 p.m. Friday.

"Cancer doesn't stop because of a strained economy," Garrett said. "We're working just as hard to raise money and any little help is appreciated."

Wearing shirts that read "Fight like a girl," the Bunco Babes (Stephan, Lisa Miller-Rich, Stacy Benjamin, Val Burcham, Nancy Schwartz, Tiffany Bergman, Erin Estabrook and Heather Freeman) were a spirited presence on the hot track Friday afternoon.

Stephan was diagnosed with breast cancer on May 8, 2008, had a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and a hysterectomy.

"I'm moving forward," she said. "It's no longer all about me. I'm alive today because of cancer research and treatments. Now, I want to be part of the cure."

Miller-Rich, of Normal, and Benjamin, of Saybrook, are sisters whose mother, Brenda Turner of Maroa, died of complications of cancer a year ago Friday.

"We thought this is a great way to honor her and to continue the (cancer) fight in her memory," Benjamin said.

While it was an emotional day for team members, they also laughed a lot, recalling the "Goodbye Girls" party they had for Stephan after her bilateral mastectomy. "All the food was appropriately shaped," Stephan recalled.

Stephan, joined later by her husband, Dean, said: "I would never recommend cancer to anyone, but I'm more confident and happy. I don't worry about little things. Cancer gave me a wonderful gift and that's appreciating today."

Among other teams walking Friday was Kathy Crutcher's Crusaders, in memory of Crutcher, a Normal woman who died April 21, 2008, after her lung cancer had spread to her bones and brain. The team was organized in 2007, just a few months after her diagnosis, said her husband, Steve Crutcher of Normal.

"I do Relay so some other child doesn't have to see their mom go through this (cancer)," said Crutcher's daughter, Becky Kranz of Naperville.

"It's a way to get people together to honor loved ones and support each other," said Wendy Hebel of Bloomington, also Crutcher's daughter. "Our mom was such a big volunteer that being a part of this is what she would have wanted."

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Relay For Life

The 15th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of McLean County continues until noon Saturday at the Normal Community West High School track, 501 N. Parkside Road, Normal. Relay Co-Chairwoman Pam Garrett said anyone may come out and walk. Anyone who wishes to make a donation should find a committee member wearing a purple shirt.

Related

• McLean County Relay For Life raises $602,582