Brothers
battle cancer
By
GLYPIE GRIDER
Staff Writer
Donald Towles, 76,
a farmer from Wheatley, was the first of five brothers diagnosed
with prostate cancer.
It was the spring of 1998 and he was more concerned about finding
out the results from his wife’s breast exam than worrying
about his routine check-up at the doctor’s office. Carolyn’s
biopsy came back clear, but Donald’s check-up indicated
cancer.
“I was scared,” Towles admitted. “I was shocked
when the test results came in the mail.”
As soon as he learned the scary news and started making seed-implant
treatment plans with a specialist in Louisville, he encouraged
his six brothers to get tested. Research shows a strong genetic
link with prostate cancer, according to WebMD.com.
Test results for four of his brothers came back positive for prostate
cancer. Brothers Leslie and Jerry both needed treatment, and although
Walter was diagnosed with the cancer, he didn’t need additional
treatment. Edgar, the oldest of the Towles brothers, had prostate
cancer in addition to other illnesses; he died two years ago.
The remaining two brothers, Lester and Larry, were cancer-free.
Donald attributes his faith in God and the support from his family
and the Owen County community for helping him survive the second
deadliest form of cancer in men.
“The prayer support meant a lot,” said Towles, a member
of Dallasburg Baptist Church for the past 60 years. “Men
came from around the community to support me. That had a lot to
do with the cure.”
Prostate cancer develops most frequently in men over 50, and Donald
encourages all men to get a routine physical once a year. In fact,
his regular check-up is coming up this month.
“I’ve known several men who didn’t catch it
in time, and they passed away,” Donald said. “Go to
the doctor and get checked,” he said. In addition to his
regular check-up, Donald — and most of his family —
is preparing for the annual June 8 Relay for Life event at the
Owen County High School track. Jerry drives in every year from
Louisville to walk with Donald and Leslie, both of Owen County.
“Relay for Life has a special meaning for me,” Donald
said, mentioning that the event started the same year he was diagnosed
with cancer. “I try to support it all I can.”
Donald, along with three of his brothers, are among the 153 cancer
survivors in the county according to a list compiled by Janice
Minch, chairperson of the cancer survivors and a member of the
Relay for Life Steering Committee. Nearly half of the survivors
make it out to the relay event each year, Minch said.
A special survivors’ walk always kicks-off the 12-hour event.
Survivors — even if they aren’t on the list —
are encouraged to come to the June 8 event and get a T-shirt and
medallion. “It’s amazing to me what some of the survivors
have been through,” Minch said. “Some have maintained
active lifestyles and participate in Relay.”
Minch has worked directly with cancer survivors in the county
for the last two years, after retiring from her 33-year career
as a social worker.
“I really enjoy working with Relay and the survivors —
they’re very special people,” she said.
Minch pointed out that cancer doesn’t discriminate, “It
affects all age groups, people of differing social-economic statuses,
everything,” she said. Her survivor list to date includes
a four-year-old girl all the way up to men and women in their
80s who have suffered from cancer.
“The hardest thing to do, though, is to take someone’s
name off the list when they pass away,” Minch said.
“They will eventually find a cure for all kinds of cancer,
but it will be a long time coming. All I can do is give, hope
and pray for a cure,” Donald said.
Cancer survivors, or those who know of cancer survivors in the
county, are encouraged to contact Minch at 484-5260 or jagaminch@aol.com.
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