Cancer survivors lead walk to raise funds for research

The event is the first of 14 cancer relays in the tri-county area.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A 24-year-old Boardman police officer who says he has beaten cancer hopes he can inspire others battling the disease.
"I am walking proof that this disease can be beaten," said patrolman John J. Gocala Jr., who went through a debilitating ordeal in the past 18 months dealing with lymphoblastic lymphoma.
"Never, ever lose hope because no matter who you are or what your situation, there are always people with loving hearts that want to see you live, fight and succeed," Gocala said Friday during opening ceremonies for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Youngstown State University.
Gocala is honorary chairman for the 24-hour ACS fund-raising walk, which is being held inside the university's Beeghly Center through this afternoon. About 825 participants were expected, including about 75 cancer survivors. As always in such relays, cancer survivors walked the first lap.
"Last year, at this time, I barely made it around the first lap," said Gocala, who wore his police uniform as he led the purple-shirted survivors around the first lap Friday.
Goal is $55,000
Luminarias were placed on the sidewalk outside the building to be lighted at dusk, each in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of someone who died of the disease. The university event, whose fund-raising goal is $55,000, is the first of 14 ACS relays in the tri-county area, which will be held through late June. The 14 relays have a combined goal of $1,686,000.
Gocala, a son of YSU Police Chief John J. Gocala, had been part of two regional finalist basketball teams and pitched a no-hitter on the baseball team while in high school. The younger Gocala, who received a bachelor's degree in accounting from YSU, was diagnosed with lymphoma after a tumor was found in his back in September 2002, while he was enrolled in the police academy.
In the weeks after the diagnosis, he was unable to walk and stayed a month at the Cleveland Clinic. During his ordeal, he experienced a blood clot in his knee, pancreatitis, a lung infection, high blood sugars, high fever radiation treatment and hair loss. After months of physical therapy, he regained his ability to walk. He will continue on chemotherapy as a preventive measure through September.
Remembering
"We should reflect on those individuals who either lost their battle with cancer or are still battling cancer," said Dr. Cynthia Anderson, vice president for student affairs, invoking the memory of YSU trustee F.W. Knecht, who died of cancer earlier this year.
"All of you in this room today know of someone who has battled cancer. We are all here for one common goal. And because of your efforts, some day, someone somewhere will find the cure," Anderson said.
Nationwide, 4,200 ACS relays are scheduled this year, of which 197 will be in Ohio.
milliken@vindy.com