Most residents who participate in Loudon County Relay for Life have a personal connection to the effort, as they raise awareness and funds each year for those battling cancer. The cause hit home for Tellico Village resident Nancy Stridde, a nine-year breast cancer survivor. She was honored this year as the top individual fundraiser for Loudon Relay for Life, bringing in $4,320 on her own.
Stridde is no stranger to fundraisers for cancer research. Before joining Relay last year, Stridde raised funds through the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to benefit breast cancer awareness. She has always had a competitive spirit, and participating in such events seemed like the right cause.
To raise the Relay funds Stridde solicited the help of more than 200 families, friends and neighbors in Tellico Village through emails alone. She joined Relay through the Tellico Village Women’s Cancer Support Group team. Each woman on the team set out on their own to raise funds for cancer research and awareness.
“When I do something like that I just go all out, and I just wanted to raise more money,” Stridde said. “I sent out these emails and people responded. If I’m going to do something I want to do it right, and I’m excited about getting donations for this cause, especially this cancer cause. ... I know so many people who are generous, and they know I’ve been afflicted with cancer, so they are always willing to share their money.”
Her husband, Chuck, called his wife “a riot” during her battle with cancer, staying positive throughout chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy. She made her journey with the disease transparent to those close to her by updating those family, friends and close neighbors through email. When she lost her hair, she sent pictures. When she had a bilateral mastectomy, she let them know how she was doing.
“I think she feels strongly that it’s a worthy cause and one that she, and obviously all of us, would like to see a cure for some day, but even the fact that the (American Cancer Society) helps so many who contract cancer through various treatment options they just do a lot of good things for folks who are struggling with the disease,” Chuck said, adding that many family members have been stricken with the disease. Both of Nancy’s parents died of cancer years ago, and a sister and sister-in-law also had cancer.
“I just felt the need to help with the cause, and then the Relay for Loudon County is nice because it helps a lot of people who maybe can’t afford mammograms and different tests,” she said. “Everyone knows what good they do with research and mammograms and helping people; well research for one thing but also helping people who can’t afford some of the tests they are able to get them, and that’s how you save lives. I found mine through a mammogram, so I might not be alive if I hadn’t been able to find it through a mammogram.”
Somewhat surprised by the community’s generosity, Nancy said last year she raised about $3,000 for Relay.
“I just got such wonderful family and friends,” she said.
“People still remember what she did to help break the mystery of cancer, particularly breast cancer. The fact that she had a bilateral mastectomy, not a lot of people do that. To have both breasts removed is a pretty big deal,” Chuck said.
“She is a very determined lady,” he added. “When she sets her mind to something, it’s going to happen. That’s the way she is. ... She is a joyful, very happy person and spreads a lot of joy. She has a lot of friends and people like her a lot, and she’s a lot of fun to be around and I love her, obviously.”
The Striddes have been married 53 years. Recalling when she first heard the news in 2005 after a mammogram, Nancy said the diagnosis wasn’t easy to hear, but she remained positive and strong-willed.
“I had a very positive outlook. I lost my hair, and I bought about four different colored wigs. I had more fun just wearing all these different colored wigs,” she said with a laugh. “I bought a red, blonde and dark one.” She even kept up with golf.
“I just tried to keep a real positive outlook, and I think that’s what got me through it,” Nancy said. “I tried to always have a smile on my face, and wear all those fun wigs. I couldn’t let it get me down.”
Her husband described Nancy as a good role model for those who have been recently diagnosed.
“I’ve been very proud of her throughout the entire ordeal,” he said. “Even when we first found out in 2005 obviously ... we were both fearful initially as to what would happen, but she came through it with flying colors, and I’m really proud of her in the way she’d dealt with it and how she has been an inspiration to others who contract the disease.”
