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By JENNIFER BROWN, For the JG/T-C | Posted: Monday, September 20, 2010 1:00 am | (0) Comments

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MATTOON - Brendan Harley of Urbana, a University


of Illinois professor in the department of chemical
and biomolecular engineering, and Paula Coker of
Mattoon have both faced cancer and survived to
educate others about the disease they conquered so
many years ago.
The Relay for Life event held in Mattoon's Peterson
Park from Saturday night to Sunday morning
represents more than an effort to raise money for
research. It's a moment for survivors to reflect and
communicate with others who have been through the Poll
Ken Trevarthan hardship of this horrific disease.
Coles County Relay for Life walkers How do you feel about weather canceling
read the names on the labels of the luminaria, in memory Harley has conquered cancer twice. school or work for you?
of those who who lost the battle against cancer and in
honor of those who survive, lining the course Saturday "I had neuroblastoma when I was 1 year old and It’s great to get a day off
night (September 18, 2010) at Peterson Park in Mattoon. leukemia when I was 17," Harley said. "You get I would rather be at work/school
(Photo by Ken Trevarthan/Mattoon Journal Gazette). diagnosed out of the blue and you begin fading into
the darkness. Then you come into the light."
Vote
Since his cancers have gone into remission, Harley went on to college and to get married. He said he
wanted to make a difference in the world, and he is a dream-chaser to his lifetime goals.
"There's so many people here that make a difference," Harley said. "I see the American Cancer Society as Most Popular
something that's always going to be giving inspiration."
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Harley was diagnosed just two days before his junior prom with leukemia, and now he works to fight the
disease that gave him a better outlook on life. 1 adult, 3 kids die in crash
Accused in domestic incident, former Coles
"I've always wanted to be an engineer," Harley said. "My lab builds bio materials. We try to build orthopedic chief deputy arrested
tissues. This is called tissue engineering." Man lying in road hit, killed Saturday night
Bone marrow is one of these orthopedic tissues that are worked with in Harley's lab. Woman files second order of protection request
against former chief deputy
"My lab makes biomaterials for tissue engineering applications (tendon, bone, and cartilage)," Harley said. More closings: Area schools call off Thursday
"We also make materials we can use to study how hematopoietic cells behave outside of the bone marrow; classes
we hope to understand how these hematopoietic cells can lead to leukemia formation," he said, noting that Police investigating suspicious vehicle fire
this is what his work, funded by the ACS, is looking to do. Winter's worst storm to bring ice, then snow to
Coles County region
Saturday evening, Harley gave a speech at Relay for Life on how his lab is dedicated in working with bone EIU classes canceled, area schools closed
marrow. They are trying to detect how cancer cells grow and trying to develop new treatments. Tuesday due to storm
Harley led the group of survivors in a lap around the park with his daughter in his arms as the event began.
The survivors walked their first lap alone, and for the second one, their caregivers joined in.
Paula Coker of Mattoon has been in remission from uterine and cervical cancers for 43 years. Marketplace
At age 30, she was diagnosed through a pap exam by her doctor, and they were surprised because of her Jobs Rentals Service Directory
young age.
Secretary
"Relay for Life is exciting because people can get together," Coker said. "All the money earned here goes Eastern IL Area Spec Ed
to local projects."
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Coker said each day is a brand new blessing to her.
"I thank God every day I have another day to enjoy." Coker said.
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At the time of her diagnosis with cancer, Coker was educating her students about going to get exams to Schneider National
detect the disease.
"I try to educate and inform people," Coker said. "I love my teaching. I'm the same as I've always been."
Coker said she takes nothing for granted. She gets in each year for her annual check-ups.

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Coker said she takes nothing for granted. She gets in each year for her annual check-ups.
Amanda Buswell, income development representative, said there were 40 teams for the relay event this
year.
"It's a great opportunity for them to come out and talk to other survivors," Buswell said. "It's great to know
they are not alone in this fight."
Buswell said the goal this year is $110,000, and about $55,000 was collected by the weekend.
Copyright 2011 JG-TC.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Posted in Local, News on Monday, September 20, 2010 1:00 am Updated: 8:51 pm. | Tags:

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