Local man dedicates life to cancer awareness

FREMONT – Every year, Brian Gibson, of Fremont, touches hundreds of lives as he heads up the American Cancer Society’s local Relay For Life fundraising events.

His efforts bring together cancer survivors, and their family and friends, to raise money to fight the disease.

One of Gibson’s duties is to recruit and organize volunteers for the events. Back in 1999, he became a volunteer, and his work with the society led to a passion that, six years ago, inspired him to obtain a job with the organization.

“I started as a volunteer. My friend’s mom called me up and said: ‘Why don’t you join our Relay For Life group?’ ” Gibson said. “I told her I don’t know anything about it, but she was one of those women you don’t say no to.”

That woman was Barb Wilhelm. Her mother had recently died of cancer, and Wilhelm had just been diagnosed with the disease.

“The Relay was in May, and in August, she lost her battle to cancer,” Gibson said. “We’ve been Relaying ever since.”

As a volunteer, Gibson helped organize the event’s entertainment and activities, launched the local group’s website, and co-chaired the event. In 2009, he became employed by the cancer society, and today, he heads up Relay For Life events in Sandusky County, Ottawa County, Southern Wood County and Northern Wood County each year.

“Prior to being hired, I lost my grandmother to pancreatic cancer. That was the first family member that had been diagnosed, and that pushed me in this direction in life — that and Barb, who was like a second mom to me,” Gibson said.

Gibson said this year’s Sandusky County Relay For Life will be June 13 at Conner Park.

“We’re restructuring this year,” he said. “It’s always been an 18-hour event, but this year, it will be a 12-hour event.”

The event will begin at noon and end at midnight. Gibson hopes to attract more participation by shortening the event. In the past few years, some people have been unable to commit to the longer time.

“We’re hoping it will engage more teams and more businesses,” Gibson said.

This year’s event already has a successful start. About $26,000 of the $123,000 goal has been raised, and 24 teams have signed up. That’s only six short of Gibson’s goal of 30 teams.

Part of the financial success is due to a donation by The Bellevue Hospital. The hospital became a Presenting Sponsor by donating $5,000 to the event.

“It’s the first time we’ve had a Presenting Sponsor in years,” Gibson said.

Other significant sponsors include Mosser Construction, Crown Battery, Fremont Federal Credit Union, Style Cress, Unique Fabrications, Eco Insulators, FSI, ProMedica Memorial Hospital and the Ballville Township Trustees.

Gibson said those sponsors and the event’s dozens of volunteers help bring needed money to the fight against cancer.

The money raised at Relay For Life helps support local programs and services. Those include the “Look Good, Feel Better” program, the Road to Recovery program, the Free Wig Bank, and the cancer society’s 800-number.

“Often, the highest call rate is in the middle of the night, because people can’t sleep. Things are bearing on their minds,” Gibson said. “They will talk with you and provide you with information you need.”

Funds raised at Relays also support Hope Lodges, which provide free lodging for cancer patients receiving treatment in the Cleveland and Cincinnati areas.

“You’re never asked to leave. One individual was there 370 days, so you’re there until you kick cancer’s butt,” Gibson said.

Gibson has been a part of the local Relay For Life effort for 16 years and has been working for the cancer society for six.

“It’s an amazing organization to work for, and the drive and passion of the volunteers keep me going,” he said. “It’s the small things — like the little girl in Perrysburg who made bracelets and earned $200 that she donated. Those little things make a difference.”

Being such a central part of those efforts has kept Gibson with the American Cancer Society for so many years.

“It’s knowing I’m making a foot mark against cancer and knowing I’m doing what I can to battle cancer, but it always goes back to the volunteers,” he said. “They give up their weekends. They stand outside stores selling bake goods. Those are the things that keep me so inspired and engaged.”

For more information on donating or forming a team for the Sandusky County Relay For Life, call Brian Gibson at 888-227-6446, ext. 5205, or visit www.relayforlife.org/sandco.