Ten-year-old survivor holds on to big dreams, thanks to cancer research

Kelsey Hammontree, her own cancer in remission for four years, participates in annual Relay For Life to help others.

By Steve Moyer

Herald-Tribune

Nevada, Mo. -- She's only 10 years old but she has already spent nearly half her life as a cancer survivor. Kelsey Hammontree, daughter of Joe and Leonette Hammontree, had a very rare cancer -- Rhabdomyosarcoma -- that manifested behind her left eye and caused her to lose much of the sight in that eye.

Kelsey is an active girl and her condition, now in remission for four and a half years, doesn't seem to have slowed her down. She enjoys bowling and is taking drum lessons.

"I don't know about the drum," her grandmother, Linda Chestnut said. "That might be a little much."

Kelsey has plans to be an archeologist when she grows up.

"She's been interested in archeology ever since she had it as a vocabulary word and learned what it was," Chestnut said. "She also likes to collect rocks and knows all about them."

Her mother and grandmother have been very active in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life since Kelsey was diagnosed.

"I wasn't involved before Kelsey was diagnosed," Chestnut said. "After Kelsey was diagnosed, I got more and more involved at work. I got on a team, and last year we even started our own team, The Goofy Crew. Leonette loves Goofy things."

The team is composed of many people, some of whom aren't listed on the official records.

"Some of the people want to help out but they aren't interested in having their names listed," Chestnut said. "They're just want to work and help. They aren't doing it for the recognition."

Kelsey and her supporters have organized fund-raising activities to contribute to the Relay for Life.

"We do all sorts of things," Chestnut said. "We make these draw-string bags and sell them, we fill baskets and sell them -- that's our big fund-raiser -- and we've been to craft shows selling things. We've raised $900 doing that."

The team has also organized an auction featuring several Vernon County personalities who have volunteered to take a pie in the face for the charity. Carol Branham, Bill Edmonds, Ron Peckman, Lynn Ewing, and Neal Quitno will all appear on the Vernon County Courthouse lawn during the Relay for Life Walk to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, then have the dessert flung at them.

"We really appreciate the people doing this, it really helps out," Chestnut said.

Chestnut would like to see more and more people on the Square for the walk.

"Everyone involved has usually put all the money they can into it," Chestnut said. "We need the spectators, the people who aren't survivors, to help out by showing up and taking part in the activities. They will have a good time and they'll be helping out a good cause."

Kelsey has benefited from programs the American Cancer Society has and has also been the recipient of a trip to Walt Disney World from the Make a Wish Foundation.

"She went to Florida to Disney World and she also went to Daytona Beach," Chestnut said. "She even got a lot of things from Randy Wallace, the racer."

The Relay for Life Walk will begin at 6 p.m. July 28, and will conclude a 6 o'clock the following morning on Nevada's Square.