With Waseca Relay for Life June 21, ACS representative reminds us
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Did you know?
Today, two out of three people diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. are surviving (for at least five years). In fact, every day more than 400 people celebrate birthdays who would have otherwise been lost to the disease.
Did you know?
The American Cancer Society contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since the early 1990s. That means they’ve helped save nearly 1.2 million lives during that time.
Did you know?
The ACS has played a role in nearly every cancer research breakthrough in recent history.
Did you know?Each year, the ACS helps cancer patients everywhere get the help they need when they need it. For example, in 2012 they assisted nearly a million people who called for help, providing free services like a place to stay while traveling for treatment, rides to treatment, emotional support, and much more.
Did you know?
All of those things happen locally.
With the 2014 Waseca County Relay for Life set for June 21, Rick Jeddeloh, Relay For Life Specialist and Media Relations man for the ACS’s Midwest Division, stopped at the Star Eagle office recently to discuss exactly what happens in Waseca County and to remind people of all the ACS has to offer.
“Waseca County people don’t know everything we do,” said Jeddeloh, who lost his mother, Mary Lou, to cancer in 1987.
For instance, what do you do when you’re diagnosed with cancer?
“We have a phone number (1-800-227-2345) that you can call 24/7, 365 days a year,” said Jeddeloh. “That’s a service we provide that nobody else does that I can think of. Hopefully, Waseca County can get the word and utilize the services more.”
For another example, 1,000 hotel night rooms are available free of charge for county cancer patients each year, but only five Waseca County people used them in 2013.
According to Jeddeloh, in Waseca County, on average, 98 residents are diagnosed with cancer each year. Each year, 37 people will lose their fight against the disease.
After 100 years of saving lives, the American Cancer Society is more committed than ever to making this cancer’s last century. In addition to patient programs and services, residents in communities nationwide benefit from the American Cancer Society’s cancer-fighting strategies that include:
• Developing and providing
prevention and early detection guidelines for recommended cancer screenings, nutrition, and physical activity
• Investing in cancer research – we are the largest private funder of cancer research in the U.S., and second only to the federal government in total dollars spent
• Advocating for public policies like smoke-free laws, increased funding for cancer research, and access to quality health care
Summary for Waseca County
• In 2013, the American Cancer Society served a total of 23 people in Waseca County with patient-related information or programs.
• The American Cancer Society answered 34 patient-related information requests that included questions about treatment options, transportation assistance, patient programs, and support services.
• The American Cancer Society provided a total of 23 patient-related services to the residents of Waseca County (Example: a one night stay at a Hope Lodge counts as one service, as does a one-way ride via Road to Recovery.)
Service Type for Waseca County:
• Five patients stayed a total of 22 nights (and one caregiver stayed for one night), at no cost, at an American Cancer Society Hope Lodge when travel far from home was needed to receive cancer treatment.
• Three patients attended a Look Good Feel Better session, during which trained volunteer cosmetologists teach women how to cope with the appearance-related side effects of cancer using cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetic industry.
• One breast cancer patient received one-on-one support from a volunteer with a similar breast cancer experience through our Reach to Recovery program.
Jeddeloh said the question he’s asked the most is, “If I give $100 to the ACS, where does it go?”
For example, in Waseca County:
• $50 can help provide seven rides to or from cancer treatments (Road to Recovery program)
• $100 can help connect someone with more than 6,000 promising new treatments through clinical trials matching services
• $500 can help offer a cancer patient and their caregiver one week of free lodging at a Hope Lodge
• $1000 can help identify a cancer-causing gene in DNA, so that we may stop cancer in patients or prevent the cancer from occurring.
• $5000 can support the initial development of a breast tumor repository with samples from approximately 140 cases to investigate associations between specific exposures and tumor characteristics, possibly leading to new avenues for prevention or treatment.
The Waseca County Relay for life, held at the Waseca County Fairgrounds, continues to grow in popularity and is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year.
The schedule:
• 6-6:30 p.m. — Opening Ceremony*
Welcome: John Hutton and Dave Baldini
Honor of Colors: Boy Scouts/Waseca Fire Department
National Anthem: Jarod and Justin True
Invocation: Pastor Victor Waters
Speaker: Rick Jeddeloh, American Cancer Society
Honorary Chair: Pastor Victor Waters
Master of Ceremonies: Ann Fitch
• 6:30-6:40 p.m. — Survivor Lap led by Honorary Chair, Pastor Victor Waters
• 6:40-6:50 p.m. — Caregiver Lap led by Patrice Waters
*Event takes place on the Main Stage
Main Stage Entertainment
• 7–7:30 p.m. — Sweet Adelines
• 7:30 p.m. — DJ Larry Johnson
• 9 p.m. — Luminaria Ceremony
• 10 p.m. — Releasing of the balloons – after prayer
• 11 p.m. — Bingo
• 12 midnight — Clean up
*All times are approximate
Attractions
• The Silent Auction will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Come check out the dozens of items donated by several generous donors! In the Creative Arts Building (Building #5).
• Luminarias will be lit after the ceremony. Sold by Team Faith For a Cure.
• Prayer Garden 7 p.m. to midnight
• Kids Area — Open from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring your children to join all the fun activities!
• Survivors — Registration starting at 4 p.m. and dinner at 4:30 at the Fairgrounds.
• Mr. Waseca Contest
Be sure to check out all the team fundraisers! Visit the food vendors for a snack!
Past Chairs and Co-Chairs
Linda Larson
Julie Blom
Pat Born
Karen Harris
Arlene Pooley
Lori Michelson
Pam Schaper
Sue Sims
Deb Tappe
Rose Thissen
Adam Lee
John Hutton
Honorary Chair and Caregiver
1994 - Linda Larson
1995 - Virginia Ruedy
1996 - Annette Zimmerman
1997 - Bob Otto
1998 - Vicki Staloch
1999 - Beth Krause
2000 - David Oraskovich
2001 - Bonnie Britton
2002 - Margaret Engesser
2003 - Karen Harris
2004 - Mary Lou Davidson, Georgia Dinneen, Mary Ann Shurson
2005 - Barb Penny
2006 - Shelley Schultz
Tricia Tappe – Honorary Caregiver
2007 - Ethan Strenge
2008 - Lorell Sexton, Darren Ebertowski
2009 - Gary Bohm, Ted Hammond
2010 - John Gardner
2011 - Joe Frear
2012 - Carrie Ferch
2013 - Mike Niemczyk
2014 - Pastor Victor Waters
2014 Teams
Barbie Bunch
Boppin B’s
Circle of Friends
Dream Team 2015
Faith For a Cure
Generations
Gooseberries
Helping Hands
Hope For a Cure
Hy Vee Hopefuls
J & D Warriors
Knights of Columbus #2768
New Richland Caring Friends
Roundbank
Roundbank Jr Board
Sole Sisters
Team Brown
Team of Hearts
Team Itron
Walkers in Faith
Walking with Clara
Wings of Hope
2014 Committee Members
Event Co-Chairs — Dave Baldini & John Hutton
Honorary Chair — Pastor Victor Waters
Accounting — Bruce Tappe
ACS Staff Partner — Rick Jeddeloh
Children’s Games — Leslie Madsen & Sara Ruedy
Communications/Publicity Website — Kelly Sutlief
Food — Julie Spies
Kids Games — Rachel Ingalls
Luminarias — Julie Spies
Silent Auction — Deb Swancutt & Heather Miller
Survivorship — Deb Tappe & Rose Thissen
Team Mentor — Bonnie Britton
T-Shirts — Jan Kaupa and Linda Jones
Sponsorship — Kris Pfeffer