Relay for Life Brown County representatives announced 6-year-old Yelana Martin of Coleman as their 2014 Child Survivor honoree during a presentation at Coggin Park on Friday afternoon.

Yelana was told of her selection at the presentation, and was quite surprised.  She was asked if she had ever wanted to be the child honoree and if she wanted to ride to the Relay for Life event in a helicopter, to which she stated, “I haven’t ever ridden in one, but I wanted to since last year.”

Yelana was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukemia when she was only 11 months old.  August will mark her fifth year to be in remission, according to her mother, Shaunita Martin.

Mrs. Martin stated that it was hard to take having a child so young go through treatment.

“It’s hard but we celebrate each year,” said Mrs. Martin.  She stated that the family has participated in Relay for Life events in Brownwood since about 2010, after Yelana had completed her treatments.

Yelana is the daughter of Christopher and Shaunita Martin and is enrolled at Coleman Elementary and is in Mrs. Nixon’s kindergarten class.

Pictured above are Relay for Life representatives with Yelena during the presentation of a gift bag and balloons when she was informed of her selection as the 2014 child honoree.  From left to right are:  Tammy Robinson, Becky Smith,  Melissa Drury, Shaunita Martin, Yelana Martin, Kyra Martin, Marian Deans and Mary Peyton.

Pictured below is Yelana Martin as she was told of her section as the child honoree for 2014 Relay for Life of Brown County.