Hundreds turn out for 2012 Waseca County Relay for Life
RELAY FOR LIFE — New Richland Caring Friends attending the Waseca County Relay for Life Friday, July 20 included, from left, Mary Sack, Julie Svoboda, Bonnie Jacobson, Crystal Maxon, Kris Pfeffer, Mary Conway and Julie Economy. (Star Eagle photo by Nicole Billing)
By NICOLE BILLING
Editorial Assistant
Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.
These words were seen everywhere at the Waseca County Fairgrounds for the 19th Annual Relay For Life. It began Friday, July 20, at 6 p.m. and went on until Saturday, July 21, at 6 a.m.
The air was filled with words of support and survival stories. When people first walk into the fairgrounds, they see a lot of different teams in shirts of varying colors.
The people wearing purple shirts are people who have had cancer. The people wearing white shirts don't have cancer, but are in support of family and friends who do. The people wearing green shirts are caregivers, people who take care of someone who has cancer.
The New Richland Caring Friends have been participating in the Relay For Life for more than 10 years. The team is made up of NRHEG teachers and school staff. This team is not just committed for one day, they are committed to the relay all year long."We've gone to classes to learn how to make bracelets, we've sold cookbooks, and we've made and sold cookies. The important thing to remember is that it's not only about the money; it's also about the healing process. When people come here and see the word 'Survivor' on the bags, it gives them hope," said Kris Pfeffer, who has been walking the relay for 12 years.
Seeing the bags in remembrance of people who have lost their battle with cancer inspires people to continue fighting as well. The NRHEG school has been very supportive of the teachers, having things such as teacher luncheons.
Cancer affects everyone, no matter what age. That is especially true for Ethan Strenge, who was diagnosed around his fourth birthday. Ethan was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, which is a soft tissue cancer. This type of cancer accounts for only four percent of all childhood cancers and there are 250 cases diagnosed each year in the United States. Even with everything that has happened to him, Ethan still seems to find a way to enjoy life and bring a smile on everyone’s faces. At the relay this year he wanted to play every game and be involved in every aspect.
Who do you know that has cancer? Every year it seems like the answer gets longer.
"Every day you hear of somebody that has cancer. It's not if you get it, but when you get it," said Lanae Thorstead, who has an identical twin sister who was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago. She has been talking in the relay for 10 years as a support to her friends and family who have cancer.
This year $47,000 was donated with more than 4,000 bags placed all around the fairgrounds. There were 33 teams with around 273 participants. A recent development for the relay is online donations. People can go to relay.org and put in their zip code. You will then see how many teams there are, who is in those teams, and be able to donate money to Relay For Life.