Relay for Life veteran reflects on relay, her father

Jeff Green | May 04, 2016

Janice Conway has always been a supporter of the North and Central Frontenac Relay for Life, which is taking place this year on June 18 at the Parham Fairgrounds, from 12 noon until midnight.

Janice's maternal grandmother died of breast cancer, and her paternal grandmother, Marguerite, also developed the disease at the age of 84. Fortunately she has survived and is still kicking at 95.

Janice has been a participant and team captain over the years, and said she supports the event because it is a community event and contributes to fighting cancer locally and though research. “Being a team captain is a big commitment, but it is worth it. It is hard work to organize team meetings before the relay because people are busy and to help with fund raising, but the committee helps out and the relay itself is a great experience.”

Janice's own experience with cancer became more acute when her father, Alvin Conway, was diagnosed with lung cancer early in 2014. Alvin was well known in Parham since he had been the custodian at Hinchinbrooke school from the early 1990s until he retired in 2008. He had worked at Land O'Lakes in the 80s and at Sydenham High School and in Kingston before that, for a total of 37 years with the school board.

“He retired when he turned 60, not because he wanted to leave since he loved working in the school, but because my mother needed his support since she has diabetes and other health concerns,” said Janice. “At least he had a few good years of retirement.”

Until he started to have back pains in the summer of 2013, Janice does not remember her father ever being sick, much less seeing a doctor. It was late in the year that the possibility that the pains were caused by cancer was first raised and early in 2014 he got the lung cancer diagnosis.

“Throughout 2014, it was mostly my sister who took Dad for his treatments because I was working, but I took him quite a few times, and my brother as well. He had chemotherapy and radiation in Kingston. In early 2015 he had an experimental treatment but I don't remember what it was. My sister was the secretary; she kept track of everything.”

Over a year after her father's death, Janice is still dealing with his absence. “He was always the go-to guy, for all of us. Whenever we needed advice, or someone to come with us, to look for a car or anything, really, he was the one we went to for support,” she said.

When Alvin Conway died, Janice's mother Caren lost her husband of almost 47 years, and also a supportive partner, and the entire family is dealing with the loss, each in their own way.

“I still feel exhausted by it,” said Janice, who also has two uncles that are being treated for cancer.

Her commitment to the Relay for Life has not waned throughout the past two years, and although she may not register for the entire day this year, she will be there, with her mother, to light some luminaria candles with her mother, and to help her friends.

“We need to support the teams who come together to do the relay and support the fund-raising events that each team organizes before the relay,” she said.

For further information about the North and Central Frontenac Relay for Life, contact Christine Teal 613-375-6525, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Chair Vicki Babcock at 613-449-8834.