Raylee Townsend, decked out in her gold boxing gloves and Survivor Miss Relay sash, poses for a photo at the 2025 Relay Royalty pageant. (Photo provided)

PARKERSBURG – The grand marshal of the 2026 Relay for Life of Wood County may only be 11 years old, but after beating cancer twice, she’s got a message for people of all ages.

“As a survivor, I want every child and every person fighting cancer to know this: You are brave, you are strong, and you are never alone,” Washington, W.Va., resident Raylee Townsend wrote in the speech she plans to deliver at Saturday’s Relay in City Park. “I may be young, but cancer taught me how important kindness, courage and hope really are. It taught me to keep going on even the hardest days.”

Townsend was 5 years old when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancer that begins in the cells that form bones, according to the Mayo Clinic, and most often occurs in teenagers and young adults, though it can impact younger children and older adults too. She was diagnosed again in the second grade.

According to information provided by the Relay, Townsend had tumors removed from her hip and had to use a walker. She defied the prognosis that she wouldn’t walk again and now runs track.

Jennifer Ross, event lead for the Relay, met Townsend two years ago at the Relay Royalty pageant, where she won the title and began a two-year reign as Survivor Miss Relay.

Relay for Life of Wood County event lead Jessica Ross, right, takes a picture with Raylee Townsend, this year's Relay grand marshal, in 2025. (Photo provided)

“She showed up with a gold cape on and gold boxing gloves,” Ross said.

Gold is the color of awareness ribbons for childhood cancer.

Impressed by Townsend’s fighter spirit, Ross asked her to be this year’s grand marshal and she gladly accepted.

“She was so excited,” Ross said.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.