As the Relay for Life of Mercer County Radiothon airs throughout the day on WRMJ, we’re highlighting the powerful stories of local cancer survivors. One of those stories belongs to Aledo’s Dave Sturgill.
A longtime member of the Aledo Fire Department, Dave shared his experience with thyroid cancer—diagnosed nearly a decade ago thanks to a sore throat and the persistence of his wife, Marcy.
“I’m not much for doctors,” Dave admitted. “But my throat hurt, and there was a lump. Marcy told me to make the appointment, so I did.”
That appointment led to further testing, an inconclusive biopsy, and eventually surgery that removed his entire thyroid. “It turned out to be about the size of a golf ball,” Dave said, recalling how the lump appeared like a second Adam’s apple. “They didn’t know for sure until after they took it out.”
Now eight or nine years later, Dave remains cancer-free. His message? “Put the tough person card aside and just go in. It could help you have tomorrow versus not.”
In addition to sharing his story, Dave and the Aledo Fire Department are once again taking part in this year’s Relay for Life event by hosting the pancake and sausage dinner. The idea started last year and was well-received, with a packed house. “It turned out to be a pretty good hit,” he said. “We usually do it for Rhubarb Fest and Antique Days, but it was an honor to be asked for Relay.”
While Dave won’t be flipping pancakes himself, he’s carrying on a different tradition—serving drinks to diners, just like retired firefighter Jeff Benson and the late Michael Clark once did.
His story is a reminder of the importance of early detection, support from loved ones, and giving back to the community that helped him through.