Our Stars

At 50 degrees, it was not a night that anyone would be outside on their own will. Walking through the cold chain link fence onto Frostburg State University's football field, you could not only see but feel the hope, warmth, and love of all the Relay For Life cancer survivors and their families.

Once a year groups of people all over the world gather at local high schools, parks, and fairgrounds to celebrate the lives of people who have fought and one the battle against cancer. They are also there to remember those who have passed away from the disease, and raise money for the American Cancer Society. Many different groups and societies are part of the event walking the track all night long, but here at Frostburg one particular group stood out calling themselves Shelle's Stars.

The group started by Whitney Glotfelty are first time participants of Relay For Life. Shelle's Stars is created in memory of Glotfelty's Aunt, Michelle Eggleston who was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and passed away after a year and a half of fighting the disease. Eggleston was married to Grantsville Elementary Schools Principal, Matt Eggleston, and had two sons now eight and ten years old. Eli, the eldest of the two remembers his mom as being very nice and an active person. People have told Eli he is very much like his mom, "People say I look like her. She loved ice cream, I love ice cream, she loved chocolate, I love chocolate!" Eli proclaims. Holding back a laugh he also says, "Dad says Im like her because I walk in front of him and then slow down. He says mom used to do that."

The very close and open family of Michelle Eggleston came together for Relay for life in memory of there mother, Aunt, sister, and close friend, but also raised money for the American Cancer Society. Eli, who according to his cousin Whitney Glotfelty doesn't like to take credit for things, raised one hundred and five dollars towards the foundation with the help of his fifth grade teacher. The group was also selling delicious chocolate covered pretzels, and raffle tickets during the time of the event for a chance to win a beautiful wreath, and a leaf blower.

After dark, candles inside white, sand filled paper bags are lit one by one. These bags have the names of all those touched by cancer, and a silent lap is walked in remembrance of the loved ones lost by the disease. While walking slowly around the track, the luminaries circling the football field seem to twinkle like stars. Michelle Eggleston is one of the billions of people having dealt with cancer in the world that need our help and donations. To donate, go to www.cancer.org. Being a part of Relay For Life is definitely an experience everyone should have.