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In June of 1997, Betty Roscovius had surgery for a rare form of cancer. While in the hospital recovering from surgery, Roscovius heard about the American Cancer Society’s inaugural Relay for Life, and she has attended every year since.

Eleven years later, Roscovius, 76, is cancer free and the honorary chair for the 10th anniversary of the Relay for Life, which will be held June 13-14.

When Roscovius, of Tomah, first received word that she had been chosen to be the honorary chair last March, she was honored, but wasn’t sure that she would be able to do it. She knew it would be difficult telling her story to others, but it didn’t take much to convince her to.

“When I first found out, I thought that I could not do it,” Roscovius said. “I wanted some time to think, and then I told my son and he said, ‘Oh Cool!’ I need the support of my family. If I can’t get through the speech, they can help me.”

Another motivating factor for Roscovius is the cause of the American Cancer Society. Drugs that help put cancer like hers into remission, such as Taxol and Cisplatnum, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to develop. The American Cancer Society and Relay for Life help fund the research and development of these drugs.

“I think we need money and research because it costs a lot to develop these drugs,” Roscovius said.

Relay for Life will take place at the Tomah High School track. It is an overnight event designed to help spread awareness of cancer prevention, share survivor stories and raise money for cancer research. Relay For Life is the world’s largest fundraising walk, and for the 10th anniversary, this year’s event will focus on the survivors and their stories. Part of Roscovius’ duties as honorary chair will be leading a survivor walk, and sharing her story in a prepared speech.

“She is our inspiration for those walkers the entire night,” Relay for Life co-chair Heidi Ueeck said of Roscovius. “If they don’t have a story of their own, they can borrow hers.”

Roscovius invites all to attend Relay For Life, which will begin with opening ceremonies around 5 p.m. on Friday. She especially invites other cancer survivors to join her in a survivor lap, and to share their own success stories with others.

“Each of us has a story to tell about cancer,” Roscovius said. “Each of us finds inspiration in stories of survivors who have fought cancer and won.”