Known as an American Cancer Society “Hero of Hope” and serving as guest speaker at the Sunday, Sept. 12 Survivor Luncheon hosted at Bloomingcamp’s in Oakdale was Cassie Gunter of Atwater, who detailed her battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the bone marrow transplant from her younger sister that helped save her life. Now 15 years cancer free, she said she is “living proof” that the research, education and medical advances the ACS and Relay For Life help provide are working. The local Relay is Oct. 9 and 10 at John Thurman Field in Modesto.