Ann Branstetter: Racing for a cure

One day in 1985, a concerned doctor from Tacoma decided to walk around a track all night long to raise money for the local American Cancer Society (ACS) office. Nearly 300 friends, family and patients showed up to cheer him on and, by the time the sun rose, he had raised $27,000 to aid in the fight against cancer — and Relay for Life was born.

Today, Dr. Ann Branstetter, assistant psychology professor, devotes her time to carrying on the torch lit by the doctor from Tacoma. Branstetter, a clinical psychologist with an emphasis on health, first became involved with American Cancer Society and Relay for Life through her profession.

“My first involvement with ACS was as a researcher who received grant funding from the organization to study the effects of psychological interventions in alleviating distress among end-stage ovarian cancer patients,” she said. “I appreciated the opportunity that was afforded to me by the organization, and recognized that the funding was largely a product of grass-roots fund raising by individuals seeking better treatments and cures for this devastating disease.”

Branstetter decided she wanted to become more personally involved, so she volunteered as a Relay for Life team member in her hometown of Marshfield. Before long, she was a team captain and had joined the planning committee. Now Branstetter is serving the first of a two-year commitment as event chair, a position which involves attending training summits, speaking at various events, and running and organizing Marshfield’s relay.

Branstetter said it is not unusual for her to spend 10-15 hours a week on Relay-related activities, but she still tries to find time to stay involved in other aspects of community life.

“If I’m not working, most of the time I’m doing stuff with Relay for Life. I’m also active in my church. I have a 3-year-old daughter – a very active little thing. We do a lot of community stuff. In a smaller town like that, everyone helps each other.”

Cancer has affected Branstetter personally, as well as professionally: She has lost an aunt and uncle to cancer, and both of her parents are cancer survivors.

“Although this has been a huge time commitment and has required difficult work, I find my participation in Relay for Life to be one of the most rewarding activities of my life,” said Branstetter.

“I have the opportunity to meet other individuals who have been touched by cancer and who are altruistic in their desire to help others and to eventually prevent new cancer diagnoses.”

by Ingrid Bohnenkamp, university communications student writer