Cancer has a way of affecting everyone at some point in their lives. It’s a point that Mike and Sue Jordan know all too well.

Mike had been re-diagnosed with prostate cancer and yet, he says “he’s fine” and is undergoing treatment. He was considered to be the second oldest cancer survivor in Mower County at 82, and was chosen to serve as the honorary chair for this Saturday’s 27th Annual Relay for Life.

He will be sharing his own experiences with fellow cancer survivors, and families who have either lost someone to cancer, or even came out to support cancer research.

“It’s just an honor,” Mike said.

This recent reappearance of prostate cancer wasn’t Mike’s first encounter, rather, he was first diagnosed with liposarcoma when he was 30 years old. He eventually recovered, but also had to deal with prostate cancer appearing when he was in his mid-50s.

Mike and Sue’s family had a history of cancer. In fact, one of their daughters was diagnosed with breast cancer, went into remission and had gone through chemotherapy and other treatment alongside Mike when he was first being treated for prostate cancer.

Yet, Mike and Sue both agreed that despite cancer, they were lucky. They’ve received good health care from Mayo Clinic in Austin and Albert Lea, and that having family around to support each other was what helped Mike continue to fight.

“The good Lord has been so good, and he’s watching over us,” he said. “You have to be positive and upbeat. The good Lord has been so good to me…we can’t complain. It’s becoming more common all the time.”

Everyday, Sue serves as her husband’s caregiver. She considered taking care of Mike a “24-hour job” but does it with love. She drives him to his doctor’s appointments, and makes sure that her husband takes his pain medication when needed.

Whenever Mike gets up from his seat, Sue would only be a couple steps away to fetch his walker and to be by his side. She knew Mike having cancer would affect her as well, but she maintained that it was his positivity and zest to continue living each day was what helped the both of them as a couple.

“Mike’s been very lucky, and I always tell others that he’s such a good example,” she spoke warmly. “Whenever everybody asks him how he’s doing, he always says ‘I’m just fine.’ Some days aren’t so good, and nights get long, but he keeps positive.”

The two were high school sweethearts, Sue shared, and considers Mike to be her best friend and him sharing those sentiments. That’s why Relay for Life was something so important to them, and that by sharing their experiences with cancer that there were people who understood and could support them through the most difficult times of their lives.

“We’re all in it together,” Mike said. “Cancer, it just, well it affects all family members. If one family member is diagnosed, then they all have to live with it.”

Despite cancer, they both felt that the bond between them, as well as having a strong faith, kept them going.

“Be thankful, have faith and stay positive and talk about it,” Sue shared. “Prayer helps and having people pray for you. It doesn’t take the diseases away, but it has helped us. I would say take each day. Cancer is mean, but we can do it.”

The Mower County Relay for Life will be held Saturday afternoon starting at 4 p.m. and ending at midnight at the Mower County Fairgrounds.