Relay For Life Collects Over $38,000

Rain Didn’t Keep Supporters Away From Relay For Life

by Lori Hall
The rain and temperature may have fell on Saturday, but spirits were buoyant for the 13th Annual Palo Alto County Relay For Life. The event was held at Courthouse Square in Emmetsburg on Saturday, June 6. From noon to dusk, members of 11 teams took turns walking around the square to raise awareness and money for research into a cure for a disease that affects so many lives.

A preliminary count shows that more than $38,000 was raised this year. A final number will be released later in the week. This year’s amount is up from the 2008 total of $31,681. Proceeds from Relay For Life will support the American Cancer Society’s cancer research, services to patients and their families, education programs and advocacy activities that have made a healthy future possible for so many.

Following tradition, Relay For Life opened with members of the VFW Post #2295 displaying the flags. Suzy Koenck sang the “National Anthem” and welcomed the participants.

The 2009 Team of Hope was then introduced and recognized. Members of the Team of Hope include Ava Swift, Carroll Tindall, Sally Nyborg, LaVonne Ruppert, and Joyce Muller.

Each of the survivors was presented with stained glass butterflies, crafted by Lee Beem. Then, the Team of Hope and other cancer survivors lead the first lap of Relay For Life as part of the Survivor Lap.

Eleven teams participated in this year’s event. Teams were: CASE for the Cure, Ava’s Allstars, United Methodist Women, Cure Crusaders, Catholic Daughters, Rodman-West Bend, ZT Crew & Friends, Emmetsburg Student Council, JLB Fishing Buddies, Family Practice, and Palo Alto County Hospital.

At the conclusion of the evening, volunteers lit candles inside decorated paper sacks along the sidewalks surrounding Courthouse Square as part of the Luminary Ceremony. The luminaries, personalized with names and messages, honored those who have survived cancer and those who have lost the fight to cancer.

Everyone took to the sidewalks to participate in the Remembrance Lap in honor of those lives claimed by cancer.