11th Annual Relay for Life a true community event

by Angie Asam, Staff Writer

Relay for Life has become the signature activity of the American Cancer Society. Presque Isle County is no different as the community just celebrated its 11th annual event with great success. As master of ceremonies Vicki Bruder said prior to the survivor lap, ?The weather can dampen our clothes but not our spirits.? The weather was threatening, as it rained, was humid, fog mist was heavy in the air and clouds threatened throughout the day. But the relay went on, and went on with great success as 72 cancer survivors, celebrating over 600 years of survivorship, participated in the survivor lap with their caregivers and family members. After walking a couple of laps around the track the survivors and caregivers released balloons into the air signifying the weight lifted as they have won their battle with cancer. However, not everyone is that lucky.

The luminaries lining the track are a shining example of why communities celebrate, remember and fight back. Communities have been relaying to raise money to find a cure for cancer, and many won?t stop until that cure is found. Employees aboard the John G. Munson purchased 30 luminaries in memory of Jeff Gorlewski, who recently lost his battle with cancer, and all of them were lined up side by side in remembrance of his battle.

Relay for Life is an event that brings together millions of people to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer; the strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight. To remember loved ones lost to the disease, people who have walked alongside those battling the disease have the opportunity to find healing; and to fight back, communities relay because they have been touched by cancer and want to put an end to the disease.

This year the Presque Isle County Relay for Life raised, as of Monday, $47,371.17 and funds are still coming in from the event and from many fundraisers done at the event. Where does the money go you may ask? Well the Road to Recovery van that transports patients to and from cancer treatments is one avenue, and that van was at the relay for all to see.

Last year?s event raised about $52,000 and with money still coming in this year looks to be close to that total. Teams raise money leading up to relay, by fundraisers at relay and donations. However, it isn?t about what team raises the most, it is about the community coming together to raise money as a whole. Relay for Life is a community event that brings people together for a common goal, to work toward a cure for cancer. Relay for Life is international as events are now held in communities

spanning 19 countries outside of the United States.

Relay started with one man, Dr. Gordy Klatt a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Washington. Klatt wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed, running marathons. Klatt spent 24-hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83 miles while his friends, family and patients supported him, he raised $27,000 to fight cancer.

A year later, with the help of Pat Flynn, now known as the ?Mother of Relay,? 19 teams took part in the first team Relay event and raised $33,000, since that time the effort has spread across the United States and internationally, all because of one man.

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