Relay for Life 'Survivors Dinner' a meaningful time

[June 23, 2015]  LINCOLN - Restaurant owner and former Lincoln mayor, John Guzzardo with his wife Frankie, have supported several dear friends through cancer battles, Steve Barmes being one of the first he mentions.

Guzzardo became involved in the Logan County Relay for Life about 14 years ago, and as chairman of the event it grew each year.

The RFL fundraiser helps bring local people together for support and funds raised help research for a cure.

While he is no longer chairing the event, Guzzardo continues a tradition he began several years back.
Cancer survivors are invited to a relaxed meal of the best food that Lincoln has to offer. The Guzzardo family hosts, produces and provides the meal that features classic Italian dishes served in their popular downtown Lincoln restaurant.

John's son Nick was right at his side working, and a number of the third generation were there volunteering too, the younger hands were busy non-stop setting up, serving drinks and then on cleanup duty on Saturday.

All the RFL events were held on the on the campus of Lincoln College with the dinner held in the Davidson-Sheffer Gymnasium. For the dinner this year, guests were invited to come and go when they pleased between 4:30 - 6 p.m.

While not far in distance from the big celebration outside the Lincoln Center, the gym that was filled with decorated tables and candles offered a totally different atmosphere -- an oasis that was a cool, quiet respite to relax and visit.

Each year during the dinner, guests are encouraged in some aspect of their health or life experience.

This year's guest speaker was Holly Woodhall, a pharmacist at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

Woodhall said that 10 years ago Dr. Mary Bratcher of Springfield Clinic chose to bring her skills to Lincoln. Her specialty of oncology has been a great benefit to the community. She comes every Thursday and has made it possible for patients to receive IV chemo infusions at ALMH.

Until this year, ALMH nurse John Strader administered the IV's that Woodhall had prepared individually for patients. Woodhall praised Strader's efforts in making every individual who came for treatment as comfortable as he could, seeking out movies, individual comforts and other distractions to help ease the treatment process.

Woodhall explained that the whole department gets personally invested in caring for patients, "The best day is when it is a patient's last to receive treatment." Another mile marker that everyone there loves, is when someone reaches a five-year cancer-free date.

And, Woodhall said, they are sad together at times, when someone loses the battle. They have gone out together and planted a memorial tree at Kickapoo Creek Park.

Most importantly on this day Woodhall came to say, "We'd like to thank Dr. Bratcher for choosing to come to Lincoln." Woodhall had brought a card and urged people to sign and add their messages to Dr. Bratcher.

Woodhall said that the ALMH IV Infusion Department receives some funds from the Relay for Life and from The Pink Shutter resale shop. Smiling, she added, "So, keep shopping at the Pink Shutter."

[Jan Youngquist]