Can a Corvette cure cancer? Maybe not, but don’t tell Ben Labaree that.

Since 1998, the Decatur resident has traveled more than 480,000 miles through 48 states to raise more than $530,000 for the American Cancer Society through Corvettes Conquer Cancer. The cause was started by Labaree’s late wife, Sandy Labaree, after completing chemotherapy and radiation in an effort to fight her own cancer battle.

Ben Labaree was the guest speaker at a Limestone County Relay for Life team captain meeting in March. He also plans to be at the annual Relay for Life, set for Friday, May 10, at the Athens Sportsplex on U.S. 31.

The Labaree’s love for Corvettes ran deep, and Ben’s love continues today. Sandy decided to start Corvettes Conquer Cancer, the couple sold a 1963 Corvette in order to buy a slightly used 1997 model. The Labaree’s toured the country by Corvette for two years, but Sandy lost her battle with cancer March 6, 2000.

Despite Sandy’s passing, Ben decided to continue the mission. Since Sandy’s death, he has driven more than 430,000 miles to more than 340 events. Unfortunately, the 1997 Corvette was retired after amassing more than 201,000 miles.

“A friend of mine, through a nationwide fund drive, bought me a new one so I could continue doing this reliably,” Ben Labaree said. “It was presented to me on the circle in front of the National Corvette Museum and we immediately auctioned the old car on the spot.”

The 1997 model was put on loan to the Corvette museum, where it remained in the front window for two years. Though it’s changed hands a couple of times, Labaree said the vehicle is still being used at cancer-awareness events.

As of March of this year, the 2006 C6 had logged 289,000 miles.

In 2011, Labaree moved from Maine to Decatur after “falling in love with the area.” Four years later, however, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He explained the cancer was detected by accident after going to the doctor with a sore shoulder.

Tests revealed an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA). After watching Sandy battle cancer, Ben knew he didn’t want to follow her treatment path.

“Chemo and radiation are pretty barbaric,” he said. “I saw what my wife went through and that was bad. Ninety percent of her quality of life problems were the direct result of radiation. When my cancer appeared, I knew right away chemo and radiation were off the list.”

He instead opted to have his prostate removed robotically at Vanderbilt University. He emerged with five small holes in his abdomen, all of which were sealed with glue.

“I had no pain ever and needed no medication for pain,” he said.

When asked if he thought a cure for cancer would be found in his lifetime, the 77-year-old Labaree was skeptical, but hopeful. He acknowledged there has been a flood of positive research done in recent years.

“The (advancements) that strike me are the ones where the body’s own immune system fights the cancer cells,” he said. “Cancer cells block the immune system, so (scientists) are working on ways to trick the cancer cells by dropping that shield so the body’s immune system can (fight the cancer cells).”

When asked about advocacy for the American Cancer Society, he explained Sandy had been a faithful volunteer while they lived in Maine. In 1989, she started a Corvette raffle that netted $1.3 million in proceeds for the society. Following her death, the society created the Sandra C. Labaree Volunteer Values Award in her honor.

“It’s widely recognized as one of the better charities, and there are a lot of individual charities dedicated to a specific form of cancer,” Labaree said. “The ACS is for all forms of cancer. It funds support, research and development and just a wide variety of things needed to help find an end to cancer.”

To learn more about the Labarees, visit www.corvettesconquercancer.com. To learn more about the American Cancer Society, visit cancer.org.