Published: June 02, 2009 02:48 pm      

Former co-workers reunite after 10 years to fight cancer

CowPasture Gang prepares for first year

The CowPasture Gang, a group of former employees of First State Bank in Rio Vista, has come together again this spring to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society by participating in the 2009 Relay For Life of Johnson County, set for this Friday at the Cleburne High School track.

“This is our first year at Relay,” said Sandie Taylor, team captain. “We hope to make this an annual reunion-Relay For Life event. It’s just win, win, win at all levels.”

The employees were close before the bank closed, Taylor said.

“We were a very tight group of people when we were CowPasture Bank employees,” Taylor said. “We had all drifted in different directions.”

The group reconnected when Donna Johnson, another former employee, began her battle with cancer.

“With Donna Johnson’s sickness it pulled us all back together and made us realize how precious life is,” she said. “All of us rallied around her during her sickness. It pulled us all back together for one of the first times since Cow Pasture Bank dissolved.

“We just got to thinking we need to do this more often; we need to get together. What better cause than Relay For Life?”

Because the team’s is in its first year, they have not held any fundraising events, but have accepted donations from team members and friends.

Johnson’s family will be at Relay to celebrate her life with the team.

“We’re looking forward to getting together for the fun and fellowship, as well as the fundraising,” Taylor said.

All former employees are invited to join the group at its campsite during Relay.

“Tables and cold drinks are being furnished,” Taylor said. “Everybody can bring snacks to eat and lawn chairs.”

The team of walkers is made up of Guy James, Anne Broumley, Sharron Cumins, Shannon Dailey, Paula Phinney, Sheryl Hudzietz, Guy James, Doris Stout, Brenda Young and Taylor.

Anyone interested in contributing to the group donation can send a check made payable to American Cancer Society and addressed to Sandie Taylor, Grandview Bank, P.O. Box 1779, Cleburne TX 76033.

For information, call Taylor at 817-641-3100 during business hours.

Relay begins at 6 p.m. Friday at the Cleburne High School track.

The survivor and caregiver laps will kick off the event at 7:20 p.m. The luminaria ceremony begins at 9 p.m. Entertainment will be provided throughout the evening, and contests will be held. Relay will finish at 6 a.m. Saturday with the victory lap.

For information on Relay For Life, visit www.relayforlife.org/johnsoncotx.