Bloomington resident to carry Olympic torch

At 10:24 this morning, Bloomington resident and breast cancer survivor, Mary Serbin will be jogging a two-tenth of a mile stretch through the streets of Terre Haute carrying the Olympic torch on its way to Salt Lake City for the beginning of the 2002 Winter Games. \nTwo years ago Serbin was diagnosed with breast cancer. \n"It was a devastating moment, but she was non-complaining and in good spirits," her mother Annie Serbin said. \nAfter going through chemotherapy, the cancer went into remission and today she is cancer free. \n"It was a shocker to my family as well as friends," Serbin said. Other than being very active with her husband and three children, Serbin was a loyal volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club. There, she is the president of the Boys and Girls Club Auxiliary, a group of women that raises money for the club. \nDuring her struggle with cancer, Serbin experienced the support of Bloomington's community through cards, meals and friends. \n"I love Bloomington. It's such an honor to be representing such a great city," Serbin said.\nIn order to be a torch bearer, Serbin had to be nominated and then selected out of 210,000 nominations. \nKarla Kamster, also a resident of Bloomington, nominated Serbin in mid-July. But Serbin did not find out who nominated her until mid-December. \nAfter sending in the nomination form without Serbin's knowledge, Kamstra said she forgot about it. When she found out about Serbin's selection she was incredibly touched. \nAfter meeting Serbin about five years ago, the two realized they had mutual friends, and their small circle became even closer. When Serbin was diagnosed with cancer, Kamstra was there the entire time. \n"Mary's cancer affected so many people. She doesn't realize this but she had half the town of Bloomington praying for her. She's just an inspiration for many," Kamstra said. "I know plenty of runners, volunteers, breast cancer survivors and over all good people, but no one fit them all like Mary did. In my mind it was not a question."\n Serbin's quest to be a torch bearer began in mid-July when she recieved an envelope from the Salt Lake Olympic Committee informing her of her nomination and possible selection. \n"For a while we were confused. The letter wasn't very clear about whether or not I was carrying the torch. It wasn't until I got the final details that I realized what was happening," Serbin said. \nShe has kept the letter ever since. She was in shock and disbelief upon finding out she was an official torch bearer. At first she said she did not think she could be the one chosen. \n"It felt like winning a million dollars. I was in a dream-state," Serbin said. \nCarrying the torch in the shadow of the Sept. 11 events, Serbin said she feels extra special being chosen. \n"Our lives are totally different since the events on Sept. 11, but I like to focus on the totally positive. I'm almost beyond words. It's an incredible honor to be carrying it for the United States," Serbin said. \nIn front of an audience consisting of her parents from Missouri, three sisters from Oklahoma, Putnam Valley, New York, and Cincinnatti respectively, her children, husband, and many friends, Serbin will be running stronger than ever. \n"This is a real tribute to our daughter, she's a real triumph," Serbin's mother said. \n"This is a wonderful thing for our country to host the Olympics, for breast cancer survivors and for the community," Serbin said.