STILL FIGHTING - Many people from the surrounding areas gathered to support the fight against cancer. Pictured above are the New Richland Caring Friends. Pictured from left to right are: Mary Sack, Lanae Thorstad, Krystal Maxon, Julie Economy, Bonnie Jacobson, and Kris Pfeffer. Photos by Jessica Lutgens
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
After two years of being held at the waterpark in Waseca, the Waseca County Relay For Life returned to its previous home at the fairgrounds for the program’s 25th annual event on Friday, July 20. In celebration of Waseca County’s 25th year of fighting for a cure for cancer, a couple new things were added to the event schedule: in addition to the silent auction, a band from Owatonna, “The Fabulous Love Handles,” performed in the beer garden Friday evening, and local fire fighters served burgers and onion rings to those who attended.
The event kicked off at 6 p.m. with the opening ceremony, including words from speakers and introduction of past honorary chairs and caregivers. Following this were the survivor and caregiver laps, led by previous honorary chairs and caregivers, before the teams were introduced. At about 8 p.m. was the Luminaria ceremony, which represents those who have been touched by cancer.
The New Richland Caring Friends team has participated in Relay For Life for many years, and is currently the second highest fundraising team in Waseca County.
The fundraising goal Waseca County set for 2018 is $55,000, of which $27,802.92 has so far been raised. This money goes to cancer programs for residents of Waseca County—Hope Lodge, which provides private rooms for patients and caregivers; Look Good Feel Better, which helps women with cancer cope with appearance-related side effects of treatment; and coming soon, Road to Recovery, which provides transportation to and from treatment.
“We need to continue research and education,” said Dave Baldini, speaker. “We’ve come a long way in the last few years, but we have a long way to go.”