Patty Rushing counts herself as one of the lucky ones.

“I had Hodgkins lymphoma 10 years ago,” she said. “It was devastating. I had a 2-year-old at the time.”

The cancer was detected during an annual check-up. Rushing said the early detection was the key to her surviving the ordeal.

“I was lucky. I responded well to treatment and had so much support,” she said.

Rushing encouraged others to schedule annual mammograms. For the under-insured, the health department offers free screenings.

She also encouraged everyone to support Crenshaw County Relay for Life.

The relay will be held Friday, April 24, at Turner Park.

A survivors dinner is scheduled Tuesday, April 21, at the Luverne United Methodist Dei Center.

“We always go and support,” Rushing said. “They do a wonderful job.”