Paul Huffman has been a dedicated part of the Wood County Relay for Life since 1994, lending his support for more than a decade in logistics. But in 2024, everything changed—he became a cancer survivor.
Diagnosed in September and undergoing surgery in October, Huffman is now cancer-free. He credits his recovery to skilled doctors and what he calls God’s blessings.
“If your doctor thinks something might be wrong, don’t wait—get it checked out right away. The sooner you act, the better your chances,” he advises.
This year, Huffman will proudly serve as grand marshal for the Relay for Life event on Saturday at City Park. Instead of the usual crown, he’ll wear a special “grand marshal” hat that fits his unique journey.
His involvement with the event started alongside his wife, Melanie. Their church’s youth groups at Vienna Baptist soon joined in, and eventually, Paul took on a leadership role himself. Together, the Huffmans have been guiding the event for many years.
“It’s an honor to be the grand marshal,” Huffman says, “and I encourage everyone—survivors, caregivers, and supporters—to come out to the Relay.”
He explains that Relay for Life is about honoring those who have faced cancer head-on, including survivors and the people who care for them.
Huffman feels fortunate that his cancer, which affected his lymph nodes and small intestine, was caught early. Surgery alone was enough; he didn’t need chemotherapy. He’ll continue regular checkups every six months to stay cancer-free.
Born in Parkersburg on August 12, 1950, Paul is the son of Alfred and Florence Huffman. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1969 and earned a business degree from West Virginia University in 1973.
He married Melanie Rader in 1975, and they have three children—Benjamin, Melissa, and Phillip—and six grandchildren. Paul retired from United Bank in 2017 after serving as vice president of operations.
Paul Huffman’s journey—from longtime Relay volunteer to cancer survivor and grand marshal—reminds us all of the strength, hope, and community spirit that Relay for Life embodies.
