rlene Arnsdorff wasn’t worried when a nurse found a small lump in her breast during an exam a few years ago.

After all, Arnsdorff had breast lumps a couple times before, but those were benign. And this one was so small that "even the doctor was impressed that the nurse found it," Arnsdorff recalled.

"I was sure it was nothing," the longtime Effingham County resident said. "Then my doctor called and said it was malignant, so that was a shock."

Arnsdorff had a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatments, and is now happy to offer a simple update that says it all: "I’m fine."

She is also thankful for the early diagnosis — because it saved not only her life, but potentially that of her sister Gloria Jones as well.

"When my niece found out (about my diagnosis), boy, she jumped on her mama and said, ‘You’ve got to have a mammogram.’ I don’t think she had ever had one in her life," Arnsdorff said.

Sure enough, Jones’ mammogram revealed a malignant mass. Like her sister, Jones underwent a lumpectomy and radiation and "she’s doing fine too," Arnsdorff said.

Now 82 years old and cancer-free, Arnsdorff is enjoying the important things in life — like spending time with her husband Carl and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"I want to see them every chance I get," she said.

Something else Arnsdorff enjoys is participating in Effingham County’s Relay For Life. She and a group of friends comprise a Relay team known as the Rose Buds.

"One year we all went in our pajamas. Itwas supposed to make the Guinness Book of World Records for the most people in their pajamas," she said. "We didn’t quite make it, but we sure had a big crowd."

That fellowship makes Relay For Life a special night for Arnsdorff and her fellow Rose Buds, one of nearly 50 teams participating in this year’s Effingham County Relay. Arnsdorff walks the survivors’ lap to begin the night, then visits with friends old and new.

Arnsdorff said she also takes time to look at the hundreds of luminaries, which honor loved ones and friends who have cancer or are in memory of those who lost their battle with cancer.

It makes her even more thankful for the day the nurse found that small lump — and for every day she has enjoyed since then.

"I try to think about my blessings," Arnsdorff said. "I have lived a long life so far, thank the Lord."