APALACHIN -- Three years ago, Traci Gibson wanted to celebrate having survived breast cancer for five years, something doctors gave her a 3 percent chance to achieve, her father said.
But the Apalachin woman didn't just hold a party for family and friends. Instead, she formed a non-profit group called Traci's Hope and helped organize a benefit barbecue to thank the community for the help her family had received and to raise money for breast cancer survivors in Broome, Tioga and Tompkins counties.
"She took an awful thing that happened in her life and, instead of sitting around pouting, took it and tried to help others," her father, Gordon Shiner, said Wednesday.
Mrs. Gibson died Tuesday at Wilson Memorial Regional Medical Center in Johnson City after an eight-year battle with cancer. The benefit she helped organize will go on as scheduled Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. at Hickories Park in Owego. But it will also now include a celebration of her life as well as the barbecue, organizers said.
In its first year, the fundraiser raised almost $10,000. Last year, it brought in $17,000. The money goes to help cancer patients pay for expenses that insurance companies don't cover. This has included such items as car payments, mortgage payments and day care expenses.
"She wanted to help everyone else in the community fighting the same battle," said Terri Darrow of Apalachin, one of Mrs. Gibson's two sisters. "She told me she wanted something good to come of her disease and struggle."
Traci's Hope will stay in the family with Mrs. Gibson's husband, Brian Gibson, taking the lead in running it, Shiner said. That was one of his daughter's wishes, and she hoped her three sons -- now 12, 11 and 7 -- will be involved in running it someday, he added.
More than 100 volunteers have stepped up to volunteer at this year's fundraiser, and local businesses are donating prizes and other support.
Mrs. Gibson should be remembered as someone who fought hard and cared deeply about other people, her friend Pam Benthin said. She wanted give back to the community, Benthin said.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Allen Memorial Funeral Home, 511-513 E. Main St., Endicott. Contributions in Mrs. Gibson's memory can be made to Traci's Hope, PO Box 504, Apalachin, N.Y. 13732. The donation for this year's barbecue is $12 for adults; $5 for children 5 to 12; and $3 for children under 5.
