Lorraine Shorty champions hope in Gallup’s Relay for Life

Posted by Donna Wickerd | Jan 25, 2024 | Community |

GALLUP – As Gallup’s Relay for Life commemorates its 25th anniversary, Lorraine Shorty has emerged as a symbol of hope and activism. Beyond walking laps at the courthouse plaza, Shorty embodies the event’s spirit, leading her “One in a Million” team in a tireless fight against cancer, a fight deeply personal to her and the Gallup community.

For Shorty, the fight against cancer is personal. Witnessing the disease’s impact on her family and community, particularly within the Navajo Nation, where discussing sickness can be taboo, fueled her passion.

Courtesy
Memorial luminarias are shown with decorations made by loved ones in this 2020 photo. Shorty said she will happily and creatively decorate them for anyone unable to attend or decorate luminarias themselves.

“It wasn’t until after I got involved that I realized I had survivors in my family,” she said. This realization transformed Shorty’s perspective, driving her to break down barriers and encourage open communication. “We’re family,” she emphasizes. “We should be there for each other in good times and bad times.”

Shorty is Táchii’nii and born for Tódích’íi’nii. She is from Shiprock.

‘ACS FUNdraising’

Shorty’s participation in Relay for Life goes beyond walking. She fundraises through bake sales, yard sales, and handwritten postcards. Other teams showcase ingenuity with events like Pi Day celebrations and even birdhouse auctions. Memorial luminarias are sold in person and through the “ACS FUNdraising” app. Shorty said she would happily and creatively decorate them for those unable to attend or decorate them themselves.

Research funded by the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life has led to advancements in early detection, treatment, and survival rates for various cancers, impacting millions worldwide. According to their website, Cancer.org, every community Relay For Life shares four elements: celebrating survivors and caregivers, remembering loved ones, and fighting against cancer.

The Gallup Relay for Life organization’s dedication extends beyond fundraising. During the pandemic, when isolation threatened survivors, Shorty and other board members became lifelines, crafting letters and cards that brought solace and connection.

New theme

Each year, a new theme ignites the Relay for Life spirit. Shorty embraces these themes with gusto, transforming herself into a giraffe one year and a Snoopy house another year, adding vibrancy to her team’s station with thematic decorations. Even the pandemic couldn’t dampen her resolve. Confined to her home, she staged a mini relay, walking on a treadmill and meticulously decorating a backyard station.

Courtesy | Lorraine Shorty
Memorial luminarias glow in this 2019 photo. Shorty said she will happily and creatively decorate them for anyone unable to attend or decorate luminarias themselves.

Shorty’s passion has sparked a shift within her family. She was following the experience of her cousin, a survivor, who expressed to Shorty how her battle with cancer could have been eased by talking about it. Another family member was convinced to seek medical attention for a suspicious skin growth. Early detection and treatment led to successful recovery, highlighting the power of open communication and awareness.

Linda Shelton, the co-chair of Gallup’s Relay For Life board and a three-time cancer survivor, recognizes Shorty’s impact.

“Lorraine is a joy to work with,” she says. “She doesn’t just do what is asked. She goes out of her way to do more.”

Community involvement

Shelton, who spearheads a successful birdhouse auction fundraiser, encourages community involvement. “Get involved with Relay For Life,” she urges. “Start or join a team. Call me, Joyce, or Lorraine – we can find you one. You can also do fundraisers. There are lots of ways to do it.”

Lorraine Shorty’s story underscores the enduring power of community and compassion in the fight against cancer. As she leads with empathy and creativity, her efforts illuminate a path where hope takes center stage, one step, one cupcake, one heartfelt note at a time.

Interested people can register to join the fight against cancer at the Gallup Relay for Life at https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_id=107767.

Shorty suggested that for team registrations, designate a captain to register first, and then fellow warriors can join. You can also support Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society’s FUNdraising app.