Evanston's Rose Thomas Races Against Cancer

Rose Thomas, 63, of Evanston, was diagnosed with stage four brain and lung cancer. Doctors advised her to make the necessary arrangements because she probably had about six months to live.

That was two and a half years ago.

Since then, Thomas' friends and family have been raising thousands of dollars for cancer research by participating in fundraising events, including an upcoming Relay for Life on Saturday, May 11 at Evanston Township High School.

So far this year, the Relay for Life team in her honor, The Rose Warriors, have raised almost $6,000 for cancer research. 

"I have tumors in my brain and tumors in my lungs. We don't know how much longer this will last but I cherish every day for it," Thomas said. "I've had 18 bouts of chemo and radiation therapy. They've done everything they can for me, there's nothing else they can do, but I've learned to live with it."

Thomas was diagnosed with cancer after visiting her doctor about a stubborn cough. The doctor advised her to receive more thorough hospital tests, which eventually found tumors in her brain and lungs.  

Thomas said she was not a smoker or a drinker and maintained an active and healthy lifestyle when the diagnosis came.

"The doctors couldn't figure out what happened, but stuff happens and you should be prepared for it," she said. "Fortunately, I have [a form of cancer] that's not too uncomfortable. Sometimes I get tired at the end of the day."

And yet, Thomas remains incredibly cheerful, optimistic and laughs about the ordeal. 

"We've tried to maintain a sense of humor about the whole thing," she said. "I think it's a continuation of what your attitude is. If you're a gloomy person, you're going to stay a gloomy person." 

Mike Stern has been captain of The Rose Warriors Relay for Life team for the last three years and met Thomas through work at Koenig & Strey. Their first team was composed of Koenig & Strey agents, their friends and families. The team was expanded to include Coldwell Banker agents in season two.

He says the team raised around $23,000 in the first two races since Thomas' diagnosis. They hope to raise $20,000 this year alone and have already raised more than $8,000.

"She's a great person, you'd want to go out and for a beer with Rose," Sterns said. 

"She and her family inspire us to do great things," the team's Relay for Life page says of Thomas.

Annual Relay for Life events happen across the country. For 12 hours over night, community members camp out at a race location and walk a track at all times. 

"Someone from the team is always walking the track, it's a solidartiy thing to show you're not alone," Sterns said. "Because cancer never sleeps."

To learn more about Relay for Life, The Rose Warriors or make a donation, click here to visit the team's page on the American Cancer Society website.