Relay For Life inspires hope

THOMPSON FALLS - The annual Sanders County Relay For Life fundraiser was held at the Thompson Falls High School on Friday as members of the community rallied together to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. Multiple events took place beginning Friday evening and continued throughout the night into Saturday morning.

The event, designed to celebrate those who have survived cancer and those who have lived and dealt with the peripheral effects alongside them, began with a survivors reception in the high school. Cancer patients that beat the odds gathered with others who had shared similar experiences.

The reception was followed by dinner for all provided by Famous Dave’s Barbecue out of Missoula. After the meal, survivors wearing purple shirts and holding balloons made their way out to the parking lot for the first lap of the relay. The Relay For Life is not actually a relay in the sense of a race but rather a leisurely walk around a designated track.

Cancer survivors were the first to walk around the track laid out in the parking lot due to the recent rains. The soggy weather was not enough to dampen the spirits of those who walked and those on the sidelines that cheered people of all ages that beat back the cancer that at one point threatened their lives.

After the inaugural lap, the survivors let go their balloons signaling the beginning of the Relay For Life. Teams took to the track, walking in honor of the event that raises money for cancer research as well as provides support to local community members fighting the disease.

Several members of the Beckman family from Thompson Falls were in attendance for the relay. John Beckman is approaching the five-year mark after beating cancer. Five years of living cancer free is considered to be the “holy grail” for survivors.

“My five years is in November,” said Beckman. “I keep that date in mind all the time. It’s awesome to be coming up on five years.”

Beckman’s brother was among the family members by his side during the walk. Bill Beckman said watching his brother go through diagnosis, through treatment and recovery was an ordeal the entire family dealt with together.

“For the family to still be together, it’s just awesome,” said Beckman. “It’s very emotional to be at an event like this but it’s great to be here at the same time.”

Relay For Life Committee Member Margaret Smallwood from Thompson Falls trekked lap after lap during the early stages of the relay. Smallwood is an avid supporter of the Relay For Life and a volunteer. She is also a cancer survivor.

“I actually found it myself. I went in for my annual exam and my doctor said ‘I don’t like it,’” said Smallwood. “It turned out to be an aggressive form but treatable. The hardest thing for me was looking at the people who love me and seeing the fear in their eyes.”

Smallwood said she like Beckman is going on five years living cancer free. She has been involved with the Relay For Life for five years. Smallwood said the event is a way to celebrate the lives of those lost and those who have survived and that the money raised directly assists people in the community who are dealing with cancer treatment.

“This event raises awareness. It makes people think about things before it directly affects them. And it’s critical,” said Smallwood. “There’s a real sense of unity within the community. The financial burden on people dealing with cancer in this area is tremendous. The American Cancer Society pays for gas, their hotel bill. So much of what is raised here, stays here.”

As motivational music blared from loud speakers, teams made their way around the track amidst an almost carnival like atmosphere. Children with streamers danced around the path while caregivers and survivors mingled with teams from around Sanders County. Each team was required to have one participant walking at all times.

There were a few breaks in the action on the track. One light-hearted example was the “Mr. Relay Contest.” Around six brave men dressed as women gave the crowd a healthy dose of laughter as they competed in the Miss America-esque competition complete with a brief interview and a display of their costumes and makeup.

The next break took on a more somber tone. As the sun set, luminarias ringing the track were lit followed by the reading over the loudspeakers of the names of those in the community affected by cancer. Some names were of those who beat cancer, others were of those who tragically succumbed to the disease.

As Logan Naegeli played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes and made his way to the center of the track, all those in attendance stopped walking and paid homage to those lost and those still among them. Some stopped and knelt near specific luminarias while others simply bowed their heads while the names were read.

After the names were read, announcers encouraged walkers to continue and the celebration began once again. Pizza was served around midnight followed by a variety of activities designed to keep people awake during the night -long event.

A scavenger hunt, hula hoop contest and an obstacle course among other events kept those in attendance on their feet and energized throughout the evening. Breakfast was served at 7 a.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 9:45 a.m. ending with the final lap at 10 a.m. signaling the conclusion of the Relay For Life 2013.

According to the website, more than four million people in over 20 countries raise funds and awareness through Relay For Life events. The overnight community fundraising walks began with one man in 1985. In May of that year, Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran around a track in Tacoma, WA for 24 hours raising $27,000 to help the ACS fight one of nation’s biggest health issues. A year later, he was joined by 340 supporters. Since then, Relay For Life events have raised over $4 billion to fight the battle against cancer.