Relay For Life kicks off with 'Git 'er Done'

The theme for this year's Relay For Life is “Git ‘er Done,” but it has nothing to do with Larry the Cable Guy, a comedian whose slogan is “Git-R-Done.” Relay For Life's Git ‘er Done is of a much more serious nature - fighting cancer, said Kathy Miller, chairperson for the Sanders County Relay For Life again this year.

Four men and 26 women took part in the kick-off event at Alliance Church in Plains Saturday evening, where Richard Magera, a Relay committee member, read aloud this year's county proclamation, officially declaring Aug. 1-2 as the date for the 8th Annual Sanders County Relay For Life. In the proclamation, Magera noted that 5,090 new cases of cancer were estimated to happen in Montana this year. He also said that about 1,970 Montanans would die this year as a result of cancer.

“Relay For Life is a community affair held throughout the state of Montana, and presents an opportunity to dust off our camping gear, slip on our walking shoes and network with business associates, family and friends for a common goal,” he read.

For the third consecutive year, the Relay will be held at Plains, but Miller said they'll have to hold the fundraiser at the Plains High School football field and track because there were no open dates in August at the Sanders County Fairgrounds, where it was held the last two years. The Relay will take place from 7 p.m. Aug. 1 to 10 a.m. the next day.

The kick-off featured cancer survivor Arlene Mack of Thompson Falls, who said she was introduced to the Relay in 2005 when a group of people in Thompson Falls said they wanted to form a team in her name. Mack talked about her bout with a rare cancer that involved two surgeries. She had lived in Thompson Falls only about two years and was surprised when asked about the team, which they named “Wind Beneath Her Wings.”

“I had no idea what Relay For Life was about,” said Mack. However, she soon noticed a “buzz” from those participating. Even though she could barely walk, her husband took her to the Relay. She said she “shuffled” around the track for the survivors' lap and though she was the last one around, they waited for her to take the survivor group photograph.

“I felt the people were willing me to get better. I left there with a sense of empowerment,” she said.

Mack participated in the Relay again in 2007, putting together a team in honor of Deb Cheetham of Thompson Falls, who was at that time recuperating from cancer. This time, the “Wind Beneath Her Wings” team was for Cheetham. Mack said she's still considering whether or not she can take part in forming a team this year, but she believes the Relay is an important event.

The kick-off went with a Hawaiian theme with the “Hula For Hope” slogan. The church gymnasium was decorated with Hawaiian posters and inflatable palm trees and an assortment of healthy snacks. People from Thompson Falls, Plains and Hot Springs showed up for the event, which went from 6 p.m. to shortly after 7 p.m.

Four teams signed up for the Relay at the kick-off Saturday, but Miller said she's sure more will quickly follow. She said the kick-off is merely to tell the public the Relay is coming. Miller introduced her committee members and showed an audio-visual presentation of last year's Relay put together by Chuck Standeford of Plains.

Kathy Velasquez of the American Cancer Society in Missoula showed up and gave a few words about Relays. Velasquez have been with the American Cancer Society for three years and attended the Sanders County Relay For Life last year.

Miller said they hope to break more records at the 2008 Relay, including raising $45,000, having 35 teams and selling more than 1,000 luminaries. They had 33 teams and raised about $42,000 last year. The Relay of 2006 fetched just over $37,000. “This year should be another in the wonderful tradition of giving that Sanders County residents have adopted,” said Miller.

Teams that signed up Saturday paid only $75. The fee will be $100 until May 2, when it will go up to $125. Miller said teams can sign up even on the day of the Relay, but she noted it would be better if people signed up earlier to ensure they get T-shirts and to get information about Relay day. She said they'll most likely have monthly meetings until the event. The luminaries this year will cost $10 for the first one and $5 for each additional one.

The American Cancer Society's main theme for the 2008 Relay For Life is “celebrate, remember, fight back,” according to Miller, who said that the participants will celebrate the lives of those who have been impacted by cancer and have survived, remember those who didn't survived, and to fight back “until this terrible disease has been conquered.”

The funds raised as a result of the Relays specifically go toward research against cancer. Miller said that prevention is a key to beating cancer. “So much of the early detection makes survival rates go way up,” said Miller, who added that getting regular check-ups and eating healthy are very helpful.

Miller handed out nearly a dozen statements, such as “stop chewing or don't start,” “keep a healthy weight,” and “exercise regularly” to people, who read their tips aloud. After each one, Miller said, “Git ‘er Done, fight back.”

Those will questions about this year's Relay can call Miller at 826-4278 or e-mail her at pln4278@blackfoot.net. For questions about teams, call Joyce Dougan, team chair, at the same number.