Hundreds walk in Poland's Relay for Life tonight

POLAND

If you watch 3-year-old Gianna Bindas in action, you see a fun-loving, robust little girl who loves to blow bubbles, cheer for the Ohio State University Buckeyes football team and catch fireflies.

All of that, however, belies the fact that at 9 months, Gianna was diagnosed with cancer.

“The doctor dropped the C-word the same day we went for [Gianna’s] ultrasound, recalled Gianna’s mother, Michelle, during today’s 2011 Poland Relay for Life event at Poland Seminary High School, 3199 Dobbins Road.

“The size of her tumor required 21 weeks of chemotherapy.”

Twenty teams with names such as Team Bonkers, Clark’s Crusaders and Gianna’s Dream Team took part in the gathering, themed “Celebrate, remember, fight back.“ It continues until 6 p.m. Saturday at the school.

Hundreds of participants walked to raise money for the American Cancer Society and honor loved ones who have died from the disease, as well as survivors.

Gianna and her parents were among the 10 members of Gianna’s Dream Team.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.