Pat Peller (T-G Photo by Doug Dezotell) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

He was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small cell Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in August 2006. It's in his bone marrow and affects his immune system.

"Cancer gives you a new perspective on life," Peller said. "You learn to live every day to the fullest. It's amazing all the support you get. It's a very uplifting feeling to have that in your life."

After being diagnosed Peller endured a rigorous regimen of chemotherapy and, in October 2007, was told that his cancer was in remission.

He was tested again at the end of February and was told he was still in remission. Retests are scheduled every four months for two years.

Peller has been involved in the "Hee Haw and Howdy" shows in the past, raising money for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. This year he will walk on the Hee Haw and Howdy Relay For Life team as a cancer survivor.

"I originally took part in Hee Haw and Howdy in honor of my brother who had cancer," Peller said. "Now I'm doing it for pay back for the help I've received and to keep fighting this disease."

The Bedford County Relay For Life will be held this weekend from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday.

"I represent a lot of people who fight this disease every day," Peller said. "One thing I've learned is not to go on the Internet and read all kinds of things about cancer. That will scare you to death! I've gotten the information I needed from my doctors."

Peller first learned that he had leukemia after having bloodwork done for a routine physical. His doctor called him back to inform him that his white blood cell count was extremely elevated. Normal is between 4,000 to 10,000; Peller's blood count was 27,000.

"I had a CT scan done after the bloodwork," Peller said. "They found out that I had more tumors in my body then they'd ever seen. My kidneys and spleen were displaced by the tumors, and so were my diaphragm and heart. My left lung was completely collapsed, and they drained two liters of fluid off my lung. I was on death's door when I got to Vanderbilt, and they couldn't believe I'd been working two weeks before."

Peller started his chemotherapy at Vanderbilt Hospital in May 2007. He would receive chemo for three days in a row every three weeks and was receiving three different types of chemo.

Peller stayed at the Hope Lodge in Nashville while getting his chemo. The Hope Lodge is funded by the American Cancer Society for cancer patients and their families while receiving treatment.

Peller received his last chemo on Sept. 11, 2007.

"I didn't lose my hair while getting chemotherapy, although it did get kind of brittle," he said. "They told me that every chemo patient is different and everyone's body reacts differently to chemo."

Peller is thankful that his cancer is in remission. He knows that he still has to get his blood tested every four months for several years, but is hopeful and realizes he is a changed person because of his experience with cancer.

Opening ceremonies for The American Cancer Society Relay for Life will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center. The Relay will start with a survivors walk. Survivor registration is at 5:30 p.m. The luminaria ceremony will be held at 9 p.m.

For more information, call Wendy Stacy, (931) 224-0888; Robin Jackson, (931) 224-8317; or Samantha Chamblee, (931) 703-7267.

To purchase luminaria, go to Dreamwurx Graphix, 109C Noblitt St., or call 684-6086. They will also be available on the night of the relay.