Sidney boy raising funds in Night of Hope to support local cancer patients

A Sidney woman dealing with cancer credits the generosity of the community for lightening her burden. The support from those she knows and those she doesn't has been astounding, Jan Lawler said.

Will Castner, a 14-year-old and incoming freshman at Sidney High School this year, is heading a group to raise money in Lawler's name for Night of Hope's yearly fundraiser walk.

"Jan Lawler was just somebody that I've always admired," Castner said. "I've just always admired her and when I found out that she had cancer, I wanted to figure out what I could do for her and doing this team was something that I thought was a good idea."

He started the team solely in Lawler's name, but has added Stacy Mills to the team name as well. Mills' friends wanted to start a team in dedication to her but were too late to register.

Castner's parents are part of the same social circle as the Lawlers and he is friends with Mills' daughter.

"He has a huge heart," Lawler said. "He's just an outstanding young man."

The parents in the group all joke that Castner is headed for the White House some day.

"He's definitely a leader among his peers," Lawler said. "Everything he does, he does with his whole heart."

So far, Castner has raised a definite $450, but said that many more people have pledged to turn in money. Castner gains donations by asking around town for pledges and selling luminaries. He raised quite a bit of money at the fair last week and from those associated with 4-H, he said. Castner is an avid advocate of community service.

"Spread the joy," Castner said. "Don't keep it to yourself. I think that in everybody's free time, they should be doing something for somebody."

Castner has a pretty loaded schedule for such a young man, but likes to watch TV when he gets some free time.

"I'm just a busy kid," Castner said. "Doing a little bit of everything."

Lawler was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May and is halfway through her cancer treatments in Scottsbluff. When she was diagnosed in Denver, she was told that her cancer was incurable, and there was no hurry to treat it.

"It made me more mad than ever," Lawler said.

She knows that nothing is certain, and was frustrated that her doctor seemed to give up without even trying. She thinks that there is always room for hope, especially after speaking with survivors of pancreatic cancer.

"I need a cheerleader," Lawler said.

Lawler has found encouragement and support not just through Castner's fund raising efforts in her name, but from many other locals.

"I couldn't ask to be in a better place," Lawler said.

Volunteers bring meals to Lawler, find people to clean her house and drive her to and from doctor's appointments.

"I've been so blessed by the community," Lawler said. "I've had strangers reach out to help."

Lawler is very thankful to be living in Sidney and says that if she was still in a place like Fort Worth, Tex. where she previously lived she would never see this kind of city-wide compassion.

"It wouldn't happen in a bigger city," Lawler said.

Lawler has always been very active, volunteering in the community and said that everything she has put into the Sidney area has come back to her overwhelmingly.

"We've been blessed one hundred times over," Lawler said.

She's also found strength in talking with other cancer survivors that she meets through her church. Some cancer survivors see that she's lost her hair and want to share their stories with her.

"There's something about having cancer where you have an instant bond," Lawler said.

There are currently four members of her church also battling the disease.

She also credits her husband Todd for helping her through this difficult time.

"Without the support of friends, family and faith, I don't know how people get through it," Lawler said.

Lawler has two children, Madison who is a Junior in high school and Jeremy who is going into the 8th grade.

Even though doctors in Denver were less than optimistic, Lawler's faith keeps her going.

"I know God is in this," Lawler said. "And he is the true heeler in this."

She also thanks those at the Dorwart Cancer Center for their fine work, and thinks that Sidney is lucky to be home to such an establishment.

"The staff there is truly amazing," Lawler said.

When a person first goes in for cancer treatment, she has no idea what to expect, Lawler said.

"They take that journey with you," she continued.

She is also thankful that specialists from Scottsbluff come to Sidney so that she doesn't have to travel so far for check ups.

The Night of Hope Foundation is a nearly 10-year-old organization which raises funds to help benefit those in Cheyenne County and Sidney who are fighting cancer.

Donations to Night of Hope might go toward various things such as gas, meals and hotel stays if needed during cancer treatment. The foundation donates to a scholarship benefiting Western Nebraska Community College students going into medicine and as well as to the Eppley Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for cancer research.

The Walk For Cancer, Night of Hope's yearly fundraiser takes place at Legion Park this Friday and runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Ninety percent of the funds raised from the walk stay local to help cancer patients in Sidney.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the Lawler/Mills team can call 308-249-6716.

Lawler will be speaking at the Night of Hope event this weekend and she's currently working to perfect her speech. Even though Lawler's diagnosis was grim, she stays positive and is enjoying life with the help of family, friends and the support of the community.

"Life is sweeter and almost better after cancer," Lawler said. "Where before I took it for granted."