Mineral County Celebrates Life

Residents from all over Mineral County gathered at the Superior High School track to celebrate life at the 13th annual Mineral County Relay for Life.

Before people began walking the track in support of the American Cancer Society, a survivor reception was held in the multi-purpose room of the high school.

Mineral County residents who have survived cancer came together for a quick bit of food and a group picture. Dressed in their purple Relay for Life shirts that read “Celebrating Life” on the back, survivor’s then meet outside for a prayer and traditional balloon release to kick of the relay. Light purple balloons filled the sky and the 13th annual relay festivities began.

The national theme for the 2011 Relay for Life is Seasons of Hope. Event Chair Peggy Temple said she ran with that theme and added Christmas in July to the season theme.

“The best Christmas present is to give the gift of more birthdays,” Temple said of the Christmas in July theme.

Over 40 volunteers and 16 committee members helped organize the relay this year.

A record 32 cancer survivors attended the relay and 14 teams walked the track from 5 p.m. Friday evening to 7 a.m. Saturday morning. A combined 155 people participated this year.

“We have had more than we have had in the past,” Temple said of the 32 survivors at the relay.

“We already matched historic numbers,” Temple said of the relay. Temple said when she first became Event Chair six years ago; six teams were signed up for the relay. Last year the relay had 19 teams and the support keeps growing.

The 14 teams that participated this year include, Castles Market/Westgate True Value, 4-H and Friends, A Neu Life, Ace High Hope, BFF Book Club, Mineral Community Hospital, Running Stitches Walking Feet, Superior Bobcats, Tarkio Trekkers, The Counties and The Mounties, The Witty Rats, Tiger Trekkers, Walk for Life and Rocky’s Rockets.

This year’s relay raised roughly $32,000 and the top raising team was the Mineral Community Hospital.

The hospital raised $4,645. The top earning individual was Micki Tourtelotte, who raised $1,026. The hospital also co-sponsored the survivor reception with the relay committee and supplied the food.

The relay began with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 32-68 leading the first lap walked by the survivors. Before the first lap, The VFW presented the American flag and Hannah Hollenback sang the National Anthem.

Along with the National Anthem, Superior resident Patty Morse gave an opening address. Dressed in a yellow shirt that read “Live Strong, My Hero, My Son” on the front and “Aaron Morse, Stronger than Cancer” on the back, Morse spoke about her time as a caregiver for her son Aaron, who was diagnosed with cancer while in high school.

“Cancer changed all out lives in a matter of seconds,” Morse told the silent crowd of relay participates.

Aaron is currently in remission and participated in the relay. With Aaron listening in attendance, Morse spoke about the challenges the family went through while Aaron was diagnosed with cancer. She also talked about how Aaron stayed strong throughout the long process.

“He was the one who was comforting me,” Morse said.

Many other caregivers attended the relay, dressed in lavender shirts and listened to Morse’s address. Morse told the other caregivers to always remember to show their love in the times of need.

“If we had a chose we would never take this journey,” Morse said of being a caregiver. “But sometimes we can’t choose.”

After the speech, Temple said a few words and welcomed everybody to the night-long relay.

“Cancer never sleeps, and we won’t sleep,” Temple told the participants.

Once the 14 teams took their first steps on the track and started their night-long relay, inspirational music played and pictures were taken. Three decorated relay flags blew in the wind along the track. Each flag had a message of “Celebrate”, “Remember” and “Fight Back”. Those three phrases summed up why each team gathered to round the track all night.

Before night fell on the track, a dinner was served to the participants and live music from Still Kickin’ filled the air.

By 8 p.m. children in attendance played games on the infield grass and participated in super hero laps, which Temple said are fun because the children walk laps around the track dressed like super heroes. Sure enough children in capes and “S” on their chests rounded the track for a few laps.

When the sun set over the track, a luminaria ceremony took place at the relay. For the ceremony, people lit candles and stayed quiet as they remember love ones lost to cancer. Temple said it is a special time for people to reflect.

Various activities filled the rest of the night and early morning. Besides the relay around the track, participants joined in a cake walk, scavenger hunt, card games, yoga and a breakfast. While all the activities took place, a silent auction and cake auction were held.

The relay ended at 7 a.m. Saturday morning with a closing ceremony and awards.

Relay committee member Patti Pickering said as people have joined and volunteered over the past 13 years, new ideas are developed. Pickering gave credit to American Cancer Society staff member Kathy Valasquez, who organized the regional relays in Montana.

“Her enthusiasm helps,” Pickering said of Valasquez.

Valasquez, who works at five relays in Western Montana, helps bring new ideas for activities before and during the relays. The next Relay for Life in Western Montana will be held in Sanders County Friday August 5.

Next year, the Mineral County Relay for Life is planned for June 29 through June 30.

Until the next relay, the teams and participants will have fundraising events throughout the year, which truly makes the relay a year in the making.