Looking back on life, John Bland knows every minute is precious.
With June 4 pegged as National Cancer Survivors Day, the Carter County resident took a moment Friday while sitting on the front porch of his Hampton home share the story of how cancer has affected the Bland family for at least the past 30 years.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
“Throat cancer is what killed my father (Jay) when he was 62 years old, and that was about 30 years ago,” Bland said as he sat by his two pooches, Buster and Hobo. “Throat cancer then got me nine years ago, and here I am to talk about it. At that point, throat cancer was at a 95 percent success ratio for radiation treatment. That wasn’t an option for my father, he passed away and it wasn’t a pretty death.”
“It is a pretty horrible thing when you can’t eat, can’t swallow, all the other things that go along with that,” he continued. “Here we are, 30 years later, and thanks to Relay For Life and all the money that has been generated … there’s a pretty good cure for throat cancer.”
While there was a cure for throat cancer, Bland added that the radiation from his previous treatment could be the reason for his current cancer diagnosis — B-cell lymphocytic cancer.
Bland encourages individuals to get their check-up for cancer symptoms. It was a bit of fate, and luck, that caught his current strand of cancer, he said.
“My wife said there were a lot of leaves on the garage roof,” Bland said. “So I put a ladder on the back and went up. I’ve climbed roofs over the years but never really a metal roof. So I walked across with my tennis shoes then the next thing I know, my feet gave out from under me.”
While diagnosed with three cracked ribs, Bland said the doctors were more concerned about another image on the scan — which later proved to be cancer.
It hasn’t been as bad as the first go around. Bland added that chemo has its “ups and downs” while radiation is all low, then an individual has to climb back up.
“I had my last treatment Tuesday,” he said. “The worst is yet to come, though. I won’t be able to leave the house next week. After that, I will hear from the doctors whether the cancer has been cured, or in remission, and take the necessary steps moving forward.”
But it’s the story of how to deal with a cancer diagnosis and treatment that Bland focused heavily on, recalling his first diagnosis nine years ago.
“We were about two weeks from going to Mexico, and I had a lump in my throat, they take it out … you know, no big deal,” he said. “Then four days from Cancun, the doctor calls me in and says ‘John, you have cancer.’”
Remembering the moment still strikes a chord for Bland.
“Your world goes upside,” he said. “You’re thinking ‘I’ve got 11 grandkids, I’m not going to see them make it through high school’, you think about your wife, your family, everything you’re involved with. It isn’t about you; you start thinking about others.”
After the initial diagnosis, the doctor broke the news it could be treated by radiation.
But throughout both cancer treatments, Bland said he’s learned different ways to cope with cancer, including a very strict regimen of diet and social interaction.
A NEW LOOK

You can’t keep a musician down.
One moment Bland recalled fondly was during his first bout with cancer when his doctor said he would be unable to sing. As the months went on, the never-give-up attitude associated with Relay For Life grew leaps and bounds within Bland — who belted out a portion of the national anthem during Friday’s discussion. Bland said he was able to visit her doctor after going through his song book and playing him a little James Taylor, much to the delight of the physician.
“There are those benchmarks that typically happen, which is what doctors go by,” he said. “But, there are those spikes, you see, and that’s what I would tell someone. You can be a spike. Never give up.”
The spike inadvertently grew into a new appreciation for life, Bland said.
“My granddaughter would ask me to come to one of her games, and I would have to look at my schedule, try to make it to the next one,” he explained. “But after the cancer, when I get asked, you better believe I make the time. You get a new appreciation for life.”
It’s an appreciation Bland is carrying over to the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County. Once chemotherapy ceases, children at the facility will be able to participate in a free guitar class thanks to the donation of 12 Fender guitars.
“Someone must not be done with me yet,” he said with a chuckle. “I want to make sure I can do what I can to help.”
THIS IS WHY WE RELAY
Hundreds will gather at T.A. Dugger Junior High on Friday, June 23, beginning at 5 p.m. to take part in Relay For Life – and Bland expects to be one of them.
A smile came across his face when talking about his discussions with Kathy Thomason, the Relay For Life of Carter County publicity chair. Thomason is also a cancer survivor.
“Those that have gone through cancer are now in a fraternity or sorority with people that know what it is like to be a survivor,” Bland said.
It all goes back to the attitude. Active with various charities and organization, including the local animal shelter, Bland wants to use his story as a way to raise awareness and hopes to see individuals impacted by cancer take part on Relay night.
And for those struggling through cancer, the county native added a helpful tip.
“They do have a strong support system,” Bland said. “If they would contact Kathy, or communicate with the local association, there is a huge group of people out there that are either survivors going through this or they are the support group. If you don’t know about that, reach out. There are people that went through your type of cancer and knows exactly what you’ll be going through … and would love to help you out anyway possible. I had somebody that reached out to me at the Roan Mountain Community Park and said their son was going through throat cancer. I was more than happy to do what I can and share some of my moments going through it.”
Another portion of Relay Bland appreciates is the recognition of caregivers. Julia, his wife, received a particular bit of praise Friday.
“Julia has just been wonderful,” Bland said. “She cooked all my different meals, changed her lifestyle to adapt to my lifestyle. I bark when I shouldn’t, then feel terrible later. She knows it’s the cancer talking. I put her through heck the first time. I’m able to do better this time. She takes care of my role and her role.”
“When we get done with this, who knows, we’ll maybe go to Mexico again,” he added with a smile.