Surviving cancer pushed Dick Tripp into a new direction with his life – reconnecting with religious faith, community involvement and counseling other cancer patients.
“It’s something that is hard to explain. I feel so blessed it happened to me and that I can help in the city,” said Tripp, a Garden City resident for over 27 years. “It changed my life. I’ve met so many people.” Active in the Garden City American Cancer Society Relay for Life since it began, Tripp has been thinking about a request from Norah Fix, who chairs the survivor celebration, to speak at the opening ceremony Saturday, May 30. “It’s definitely important for survivors to get involved. The survivors who come to the relay are inspirations to other cancer survivors,” said Fix. “The American Cancer Society defines a person as a survivor the day you’re diagnosed with cancer.” After he was diagnosed and treated for colon cancer in 1992, Tripp got involved at First Methodist Church in Garden City where is past president of the Men’s Club, serves on the Commission on Aging, works with the United Needy Family charity, the First Book Program and recently became an election inspector. “I never got scared when I got the diagnosis. I said what do I have to do,” said Tripp. “I try to counsel and talk to people. This has enriched my life a lot more and took me in different directions.” Tripp has been a sort of teams godfather for the Relay for Life. At the first event in 2007, Tripp formed a team, Together We Fight based at his church. The second year, teams members split off for their own teams including Albert’s Angels and a Tigers fans team which have continued to participate in the 24-hour event.
On Saturday, May 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., local cancer survivors will be honored during the Survivor Celebration at the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Garden City. Participating cancer survivors are given a commemorative T-shirt to wear as they lead a special Victory Lap around the track in honor of their triumph over cancer. This year’s Victory Lap will be held at 10:30 a.m.