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Stephanie Porter-Nichols/The young superheroes are preparing to help battle cancer. The children’s Relay for Life team is asking for the community’s support. They’ll be selling doughnuts Saturday at the Marion Wal-Mart.

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Harnessing prayer’s power: Children form Relay for Life team

By STEPHANIE PORTER-NICHOLS/Staff

Eighteen children are donning the masks and capes of superheroes. They all profess to possess a super power they believe will help them in the battle against one of humanity’s fiercest enemies, cancer.
The power these youngsters no older than 11 claim to wield is prayer.
Hailing from Smyth and Washington counties and the cities of Bristol and Johnson City, this group’s members, who range in age from 4 months to 11 years, have united to form the first Smyth County Relay for Life children’s team, Kids Who Care About a Cure.
Ethan Ashbaugh, 11 and team captain, explained their choice of prayer as a super power Monday evening. “We all go to church, and we’re all Christians,” he said.
The team is taking its prayer theme even further. During the June 13 Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society fund-raiser held annually at Marion Senior High School’s track field, they will offer biodegradable helium balloons for sale for $1 each and include a personalized in-memory or in-honor prayer inside each one. The prayer-filled balloons will then be released heavenward.
According to Susan Blevins, a team member’s parent, the children are all friends and family of Cancer Outreach, an organization based in Abingdon with five offices, including one in Marion. Several of the children, Blevins said, have witnessed family members’ struggles with cancer. As well, Blevins explained, many of the youth participated with last year’s Cancer Outreach Relay team but wanted to have a bigger role.
A year later, they formed their own team.
While their parents are assisting with the effort, team members are working hard to raise money.
They’ll be dressed in their purple and green costumes this coming Saturday morning at Marion’s Wal-Mart beginning at 8 to sell Krispy Kreme doughnuts for $5 a dozen with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.
The next Saturday, May 24, the team will conduct a car wash at Abingdon’s Dairy Queen. Soon, they’ll be raffling off two toy baskets, a candy basket and a Dip Dog basket.
The team began working on its Relay effort in February. They designed and helped make their costumes with individualized headbands.
For the Relay, they plan to create The Cure Mobile, a race car. They’re also planning to offer face painting and tattoos.
Kelly Cullop, Ashbaugh’s mother, believes this effort is good for the children. “It’s all showing kids can make a difference and be a part of something.”
Jane Roberts, ACS community manager, agrees.
“Kids rejuvenate our Relay. They have a way of bringing a new look and new ideals to Relay. I also think this is a great experience for the kids. Most of the kids in our area are not required to have community service and they really don’t know how important it is to give back to your community or how to help others. This experience has the kids involved with members of the community who have been affected by this disease and they see the importance of what they are doing.”
Roberts also noted that the ACS helps young participants track their volunteer hours, which can later be assets on college admissions and scholarship applications.
This year’s Smyth County Relay for Life will feature a teen walk for kids who are 13 to 17 years old.
Currently, 30 teams are signed up for the 2008 Relay in Marion. However, according to Roberts, new teams can sign up until the day of the event. “We are still looking for teams and welcome anyone who would like to give us a call for more information,” said Roberts. Individuals may reach her at 739-7780 or 496-6010.

Stephanie Porter-Nichols may be reached at or 783-5121.