A rainy Relay For Life was successful

From: Brea Atkinson
American Cancer Society Wright County representative

Dear Delano and Wright County communities:

Participants at the fifth annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Delano walked Friday night to raise funds for cancer research, cancer education and patient services.

Relay For Life, the society’s signature event, is a life-changing experience that helps us celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and to fight back against a disease that takes too much.

This unforgettable event raises awareness and funds to save lives, help those touched by cancer, and empower people to fight back against this disease.

However, this year’s relay proved to truly show the commitment to fighting cancer in Delano.

During the opening ceremony at 7 p.m., our committee began to grow wary of the dark clouds headed our way. However, we told our audience that we would continue to walk, rain or shine.

And rain it did. Appreciation goes to the careful consideration of the weather by our committee, our luminaria bags were taken indoors just before the rain began to fall.

As teams and community members fled to their cars and campers for shelter, a few committee members huddled in the grandstand building, while the storm raged and formulated a plan.

As we had mentioned during the opening ceremony, we would continue to walk, rain or shine. But, storms were another story. The committee was concerned, wondering how many teams stayed, asking one another about the options for cancelling or postponing the relay.

However, to this brave committee, cancelling was never an option. As we watched the radar and estimated the storms passing, it was decided at 10:30 p.m. to continue the relay, just a few hours delayed. The silent auction remained open until 11 p.m., the luminaria lighting ceremony was moved to 11 p.m., and a few activities were pushed back to accommodate a flexible schedule.

When the rains let up, the people came back in droves. The parking lot was full of cars, emptying once they saw the candles being lit and people walking once more. One committee member even called her team who had gone home to tell them to come back, “People are still walking.” She said into the phone. “Come, cook some burgers.”

As the nearly 300 people walked the luminaria lap to the sound of bagpipes, we all truly remembered the difficult battled faced by our loved ones through cancer. Just as the Relay For Life symbolizes, we have to walk through the night to see the light. Through rain, wind, and high water, we will walk. Through chemo, radiation, and tears, we will walk.

Cancer is never an easy journey. Just as through the night, it may be cold and stormy, and just as through the night we grow weary and fed up, Relay For Life reminds us that those facing cancer do not get a break although they are cold or weary, fed up with fighting or facing a storm.

This is why relay is an overnight event, and the community in Delano truly exemplified how much passion can be found here in the fight against cancer. Three other Relay For Life events took place in surrounding communities called off their event during the storm, whereas Delano held on strong.

The Relay For Life would not be possible without the incredible dedication of our teams, team captains, sponsors, and committee members. A special appreciation to our committee members, Ann Hayes, Ann Sheely, Bernie Kittock, Betsy Farrier, Christine Klemp, Heather Green, Heidi Voss, Holly Shrupp, Jamie Pogue, Jeanie Pilarski, Julie Strobl, Kathy Nordling, Laura Hermann, Mary Alston, Mary Erickson, Nancy Larkin, Neva Stoebner, Nicky Schmidt, Rhonda Zappa, Shelli Hess, Tess Heikes, Darlene Hayes, Nancy Ganzel, Sarah Farniok, Shirley Scheuble, and Girl Scout Troop 11695.

As well as, to our fearless co-chair Lynn Bartels who led us through the night, cheering us all on to raise more than $92,000.

Congratulations to our top fundraising team and top spirited team, Will’s Warriors, led by Jamie Pogue, raising more than $11,000 in honor of Will Pogue, our amazing honorary survivor this year.

Anyone interested in getting involved on the committee or as a team for next year’s Relay For Life can contact the American Cancer Society at (651) 255-8760 or e-mail our committee at Delano.relay@gmail.com.

Sign up for the 2010 Relay For Life at www.relayforlife.org/delanomn starting Tuesday, Sept. 1.

We appreciate Delano for your continued support in the fight against cancer.