HOPE - A special memorial was on display for those who have fallen victim to cancer as well as those brave and strong survivors who are here today. Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
The 16th Annual Freeborn County Relay for Life Celebration Ceremony got underway at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. Dr. Gordy Klatt wanted to make a difference in the fight against cancer and started Relay for Life 33 years ago in Tacoma, Washington. Relay for Life has now become a worldwide movement with events all over the United States.
In Albert Lea, people registered for the relay and picked up their assigned 2018 Relay for Life T-shirts, for either survivor or caregiver. Those who were cancer survivors signed survivor luminary bags that were displayed in the Garden of Hope during the relay.
People could also purchase luminary bags in honor or in memory of loved ones affected by cancer. The luminary bags were placed along the walkway at the fairgrounds to light the path in front of the grandstand. Those attending the Relay for Life also enjoyed listening to patriotic songs that the Albert Lea Community Band provided prior to the start of this year’s event. Food stands were available, and children engaged in carnival activities and spent time playing in giant inflatable toys.
One of the signs along the path of Cancer Luminaria said, "More than 11 million americans alive today are cancer survivors.” There were about 1,500 such bags along the path to honor people who have been affected by cancer.
The Relays are full of planned events, entertainment, and are fun for people of all ages. There was a mother carrying a young baby in a front pack on her chest. Coltan Tester was just two months old. He and his mother, Lauren, were from Janesville, Minn. They were taking part in the relay in memory of Lauren’s mother, who had died in January of 2017.
One of the main events each year is the first lap of the event, the Survivors Lap. It honors the courage and determination cancer survivors have displayed in their fight. Family and friends are encouraged to walk with their cancer survivor in support.
The second key event is the Luminaria Lighting. This is a very moving time as people remember passed loved ones, and those who have survived. A special Garden of Hope area was set up with luminaria bags for survivors. Two sets of metal bleachers were used to display over 200 lavender colored Survivor bags sharing a special glow.
At 5 p.m. the Celebration Ceremony got underway and the Honor Guard presented the colors as they made their way along the track. Pastor Matt Hundley provided the invocation and Holly Ryks sang the National Anthem. Tyler Utzka from the KIMT television station welcomed everyone to Relay for Life. Tyler thanked the Community Band and Bruce Himmerich for providing the sound system, and introduced this year’s two honorary survivors, Ronda Staloch and Janet Himmerich. Both Ronda and Janet grew up in the Hartland area and shared their stories of cancer survival.
Ronda’s story started with a dream where she had breast cancer. Ronda said, "The dream was one of those real-life, in-person type dreams that you cannot stop thinking about. So I looked at the calendar and thought "Hmm, I think it's been over a year since my first mammogram. Maybe God is trying to tell me something." She explained that her second mammogram came back normal, but was told that she had dense tissue and that in the future she should look into other forms of screening. She put the information away and didn't give it another thought until about nine months later when she thought that she had a strange thickness in her right breast. She later thought it seemed to disappear, but it appeared again and she decided it was time to get it checked out.
After a great deal more testing, she received the dreaded telephone call telling her that the tests were positive for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Ronda shared how the news affected her and how difficult it was telling her family and friends, and how those people helped her through it all.
Ronda said that getting news like that is difficult, but then having to make numerous decisions about it can be a little mind boggling. Ronda learned that she was genetically susceptible to cancer in December of 2016 and then underwent a double mastectomy in March of 2017 after five months of chemo. Ronda then had radiation treatments in April and May of 2017 and underwent reconstructive surgery in November of 2017.
Ronda was pleased there were many people and organizations like the Cancer Center at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and the American Cancer Society to help her, and she knew the power of prayer and the importance of fighting.
Janet began her story talking about growing up in the small town of Hartland, the youngest of three, and how she married her high school sweetheart and went on to have three children of her own. She also talked about how she has been a nurse for 42 years, and how a co-worker asked her when she had her last mammogram. Being a nurse, Janet said that she knew the importance of mammograms, but was ashamed to say that she had procrastinated about getting her annual mammogram. She said, "I thought that by the end of the year, I would have met my deductible and I would get it done." Janet did get it done and sat in disbelief and denial after she learned what her tests showed.
Janet said, “I lost my mother to cancer in 1997, and I was thankful to have a very dear friend, who is head of the Oncology Department, walk me through the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan." Janet decided to undergo her treatments and surgery close to home where she would have the support and comfort of her family and friends. She said, "All went as expected. I had very little pain following surgery and was thankful for fast healing." Janet gives glory to God first and thanked Him for the knowledge and abilities He has given our healthcare providers.
Janet said, "We have come a long way in the fight against cancer and continue to make progress every day. Everyone has their own story about being touched by cancer, either themselves or their loved ones. I don't know what the future holds, but I thank God every day for my life and family. My hope is that He will be beside me, lead me, and guide me through my walk on earth to help others in need of healing."
Following Ronda’s and Janet’s stories, the cancer survivors were encouraged to line up behind the golf carts so they could follow the Honor Guard and take part in the first lap around the Path Of Hope.
At about 8:30 p.m. the 1,500 luminaria were lit along with 200 Survivors Luminaria. When lit in the Garden, everyone could see the word "H O P E." spelled out. It was a beautiful sight to see as everyone joined the fight and traveled the path.
Relay for Life continued until 11 p.m. and closed with the Fight Back Ceremony, which extinguished the lights of all the luminaria at the Fairgrounds. It is hoped that people will continue to light candles in honor and remembrance over the course of the year until they once again come back together next time.
A special thank you is extended to every participant for their commitment to Relay for Life! Their involvement in this event shows that our area is truly a community of HOPE, a community that is taking up the fight against cancer. Together they can truly make a difference.