On a March morning in 2000, Dr. Jane Jones was packing for a business trip when she noticed something strange – a lump in her breast. She didn’t think too much about it that morning; after all, it probably wasn’t anything to worry about anyway.
Seven months later, Regenia Shilling went to her doctor for an annual pap smear and mammography. The results were anything but routine.
Two years after that, Kim Blevins, puzzled at losing 14 pounds inadvertently, gave herself a breast self-exam. She, too, found a lump.
All of these women work at ETSU, and all of them are cancer survivors. Though they’re all soft-spoken and warm, none of them whisper the word “cancer.”
Jones, Shilling and Blevins are part of a team of 16 survivors from ETSU faculty and staff who will participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on Friday and Saturday to celebrate their survival, support patients, and raise funds for cancer research.
“My story is a very personal story of what research has done,” said Blevins, administrative assistant to the dean of nursing. “My husband lost his mother to breast cancer when she was 38. He got into the area of scientific research in hopes that he could make some small contribution. Then, when I was diagnosed,well, the two most important women in his life ended up having breast cancer. But, some 40 years later, I believe I’m here because of research – cancer is no longer a death sentence.”
Research also goes hand-in-hand with faith and support, said the survivors.
Jones, executive assistant to the president, recalled the support given by friends, family, and co-workers after doctors found a “very malignant,” very aggressive tumor that had spread to her lymph glands.
After a mastectomy of her right breast, she was scheduled for chemotherapy three or four days per week. “I believe that support is the most important thing to have,” said Jones, whose husband helped her through the experience.
“Here I was, I’d had a mastectomy; I was going through chemo and I’d lost all my hair. I would’ve known somehow – I would’ve felt it if he had been repulsed by my body, but he wasn’t. It didn’t bother him at all.”
Jones was also able to continue work during her treatment. “The people here at ETSU were so willing to be flexible with me,” she said.
Shilling, who works as offce manager to the vice president of administration, agreed. “It’s unreal what a wonderful place ETSU is to work. For six weeks, I had to go to the doctor every day for radiation treatment, then come in to work. Dr. Stanton was so supportive. I know if I’d worked at a factory somewhere, I would’ve been fired.”
Faith also plays a big part, said the survivors.
“For me, the worst part was not knowing,” said Jones. “When I was first diagnosed, I kept thinking, ‘I’ll be fine once I have a plan.’ That’s my way.” But she began to realize that it’s difficult to have a plan when you have so little control of the outcome. Now she sees things differently. “Am I cured? I don’t know. Am I healed? The answer is a definite yes. For me healing means that I am at peace with where I am this day, this moment.”
With faith, hope and support, these women have done more than survive cancer, they’ve become role models and support systems for those who may soon be fighting cancer.
“I’m here to say you can make it through,” said Blevins.
“You’ll get back up and you’ll be stronger for it.”
Relay for Life is a 12-hour event, beginning Friday at 7 p.m. in the Mini-Dome, where teams raise money for cancer research through various events and activities geared to the whole family.
Everyone is invited to attend, and admission is free.
To donate to the ETSU faculty and staff survivor team, contact Regenia Shilling or Kim Blevins.
The event’s highlight, the Luminaria Ceremony, will start at 9 p.m. on Friday. During that time, lights will be turned off and white bags filled with light will line the mini-dome to honor cancer victims and survivors.
“It’s the most spectacular ceremony you’ve ever seen,” said event coordinator Lacie Tullock. “People can honor their friends or loved ones by buying a bag for the Luminaria ceremony.”
Anyone can participate in the ceremony by donating $5 to the American Cancer Society at the event.
Relay for Life continues through the wee hours of Saturday morning, where teams will compete in competitions and relays that will provide plenty of fun (and humiliation) for teams and onlookers alike.
Events include: a bubble gum blowing and Starburst sculpting contest, a celebration for the Bucs basketball team, a mock-cheer competition, a conga line, and a scavenger hunt, as well as Locks for Life, where individuals have their hair cut and donated for wigs for cancer patients.
The closing ceremony will be at 7:30 a.m.

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