Pat Donahue/Times-EnterpriseSisters Laura Wright and Brenda Watson walk alongside their mother, Laura Brinson, after the conclusion of the Relay For Life's Survivors lap Saturday night. All three are cancer survivors.

THOMASVILLE — Having completed their turn around the track at the Jackets’ Nest, Thomas County Central High School’s football stadium, sisters Linda Wright and Brenda Watson waited for their mother, Laura Brinson, before heading back to the shade of the Survivors tent.

Wright and Watson walked together for the Survivors lap to start the annual Relay For Life, held Saturday night at TCCHS, and their mom got a golf cart ride around the track for her lap.

Wright has been a cancer survivor for 28 years, and Brinson has survived a cancer diagnosis for 15 years. Watson is one month into her victory over cancer.

“We’re all fighters,” Wright said. “Deep down we want to fight and fight hard.”

Wright acknowledged getting her initial cancer diagnosis was scary.

“You find out who are your true friends,” she said.

Watson, having watched her mother and sister battle and beat cancer, wondered if she too would get cancer. She was diagnosed with melanoma. 

“They were very supportive of me,” Watson said. “It was scary. I’m blessed.”

Brinson accompanied Watson to her melanoma surgery, Watson said.  

“There is a reason we are all cancer survivors,” Brinson said. “I know I’m not the only one. It’s God’s plan. I know God’s got a plan for me and I will fulfill it.”

Oliver Jones, a 10-year cancer survivor, survived lymphoma and underwent surgery at Emory Winship Cancer Institute. He left there in fall 2007 and came back to Thomasville to begin treatments. He gets checkups every three months.

Jones made the trek around the track with his wife and caregiver Margie.

“I’ve got the best,” he said. “I’m blessed to be here.”

Relay For Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, and Watson expressed her gratitude for the Thomasville event, and hundreds of others like it around the nation.

“I thank the people who support and donate,” she said.

Wright believes that continued support can help wipe out cancer.

“You can give your time, your prayers, your love, your understanding,” she said. “If everyone just donated a dime, we could eliminate this.”

Editor Pat Donahue can be reached at (229) 226-2400 ext. 1806.