MORLEY — Cancer can not only be a deadly but a monetarily costly disease for many afflicted with it, and one Morley man chose to make a sizable donation to a fundraiser held for a local paraprofessional who is currently in a battle with cancer.
Each year, the Morley Stanwood volleyball team has a community outreach event to raise money for a worthy cause. This year's beneficiary of the annual fundraising game was Tracie Lee, a paraprofessional at the elementary school who is battling cancer.
A bake sale and other efforts raised $2,155 toward Lee's medical expenses. When Lynne Jutila, a middle school teacher, shared a video from the game on social media, a former Mohawk happened to see it.
Roger Radcliff, a former classmate of Jutila’s, reached out and offered to match the fundraising fund total.
Radcliff said the video inspired his choice as well as knowing the struggles of facing cancer himself.
“I was so inspired by the Morley Stanwood girls volleyball fundraiser,” Radcliff said. “The video shared on Facebook by Lynne was very touching. Without even knowing it, Tracy had become an inspiration to me, in my personal cancer battle.”
"When I was diagnosed with advance Stage 3 melanoma in February 2021, my heart sank,” he added. “They removed 37 lymph nodes under my left arm. My sister, who worked with Tracie Lee in the Morley Stanwood School system, told me about Tracie's fight with cancer. So, I crept her Facebook page and every photo was the same, smile after smile after smile. That positive attitude became my inspiration."
Radcliff studied graphic design at Ferris State University. He currently resides in Louisiana, where he is a licensed realtor and serves on the Louisiana Realtors Board of Directors.
Radcliff remembered the kindness he received from the district and his fellow classmates when he was a student. His family was not well off, and Radcliff could not always afford to purchase some things, but his classmates and the school district made it possible for him to participate with everyone else.
“As a graduate of the Class of 1982, we were all close in high school and all pretty much stayed friends through the years,” Radcliff said. “I love them all. Morley Stanwood is a close-knit community, where neighbors take care of neighbors. It was like that when I moved there in 1976, and it was like that when I left in 1983.”
Radcliff said he knows the cost that a cancer diagnosis can bring, and wanted to make a difference for Lee.
“Knowing the cost of my own cancer treatments were $21,500 each, I felt the need to help,” Radcliff said. “I've had nine so far and have three left, and the cost is $11,000 per PET scan of which I've had three so far, and have 17 left. My third PET scan came back clear, and I know I'm not out of the woods, but I know I am winning and will win. I have great friends, family, and faith to lean on.”
Lynne Jutila said she was amazed at Radcliff’s generosity and said the gesture was an amazing gift.
“He told me about how he loved his experiences at Morley Stanwood," Jutila said. “Stories like this melt my heart and remind me what kindness is all about. God bless Tracie and Roger as they continue to battle and conquer their battle with cancer.”
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Morley Stanwood grad matches funds to help classmate's battle with cancer - The Pioneer
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