Luke Fochtman is a cancer survivor.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there were 11.9 million cancer survivors in 2007, and that number is increasing every year.

“People ask you all the time, ‘How do you do it?’” Sean Fochtman said. “We didn’t know we could do this until we had to do this.”

The Fochtmans, along with more than 1,700 people, participated in Relay for Life on Friday and Saturday at Ralph Young Field track, walking for survivors of cancer, those who have died of cancer and the caregivers who walked with them on their journey.

Relay at MSU

Relay for Life began in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., after surgeon Gordy Klatt walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society, or ACS.

The event has inspired more than 3.5 million people across the U.S. to participate annually, which has raised more than $3 billion for the ACS.

Since 2000, MSU has participated in Relay for Life, and the 2010 relay raised $121,000. Emily Hendershot, an ACS staff member, said 110 teams participated this year. Teams set up camp for the all-night event, offering various types of services and food to raise money on site. Despite the cold weather, Hendershot said the turnout was better than the year before.

“Everyone knows someone affected by cancer,” Hendershot said.

For comparative cultures and politics junior Adam Stone, MSU Relay for Life is something close to his heart. He started his freshman year on his older sister’s team, and eventually became the vice chair for Relay at MSU. He said his life has been changed by cancer after losing his mom to the illness when he was 7 years old.

“I don’t feel alone,” Stone said. “There are other people going through this as well.”

Kelly Steffen, the team captain for the James Madison College team and international relations and economics senior, said she and her teammates spent the night playing board games, selling hot chocolate and walking around the track.

“This year had a lot of people that just got really fired up and were supportive about the cause,” Steffen said.

Steffen, whose mother was diagnosed with brain cancer this year, said this year’s event was much more personal. She and her James Madison teammates raised more than $2,000 for Relay with 36 team members.

“So often I kind of get in the mindset that this terrible thing is happening to me and no one knows what I’m going through,” she said. “It’s a reality check to me to see how many people have this problem, to see how many people are going through this, too.”

Luke’s Rhabdo Blasters

Luke Fochtman was diagnosed with stage IV embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, or “rhabdo” in December 2008.

His mom, Monica Fochtman, a doctoral student at MSU, can describe the day perfectly ­— the rainy weather, the green sweater she was wearing and darkness that surrounded her family.

“If you let it, cancer can take your life, and I could’ve lived in continual fear,” Monica Fochtman said. “But I’m not going to let it. Cancer has already stolen enough from me.”

Luke’s relay team, named Luke’s Rhabdo Blasters, raised more than $5,000 this year. Monica Fochtman said although she is grateful for Relay for Life, there still is so much that needs to be done for pediatric cancer.

Right now she’s “fighting from within” the ACS to get more recognition for pediatric cancer.

After a yearlong journey with cancer, Luke Fochtman was declared cancer free in October 2009 and received his last round of chemotherapy Feb. 22.

A week before Relay for Life, cradled in his mom’s arms, Luke Fochtman drifts to sleep in his brown dinosaur pajamas. His mom asks him if he thinks he’s brave. He nods his head. He punches in the air, showing how he fought cancer, comparing it to boxing on his Nintendo Wii.

For Luke Fochtman, a new chapter in his journey has started. Sean Fochtman said the family has big plans, things they couldn’t do before, including swimming in the ocean, going to a football game and even eating out at a restaurant.

Monica and Sean Fochtman said they will continue to pay it forward for all the help they received when Luke Fochtman was sick, and will continue fighting for other families who have experienced cancer.

“Cancer is the world’s greatest equalizer,” Monica Fochtman said. “When you get to the hospital, you see all kinds. It doesn’t matter what race you are, what color, what gender, what your socioeconomic status is. Cancer is something that can affect everyone and anyone.”