Relay For Life kicks off in a flash

SANDERS COUNTY - Community members hit the hardwood for Sanders County Relay For Life kickoff festivities in January and February. For the second year, Relay volunteers and community members performed a flash mob dance at local basketball games to raise awareness of this year’s event, scheduled for Aug. 1-2 at Thompson Falls High School. Participants were able to sign up for half off as part of kickoff.

The first flash mob (to Katy Perry’s “Roar”) was performed in Thompson Falls on Jan. 9, during halftime of the Plains-Thompson Falls basketball game. Annie Wooden, co-chairperson of the Sanders County Relay For Life, credited some key volunteers with making the Thompson Falls flash mob a success.

“Hats off to Krystin Slater and Melissa Wilson for coming through for us again this year,” said Wooden. “They rallied students to perform and it was fantastic. We definitely could not have pulled this off without those two.”

In Noxon, teachers and staff members, as well as students, performed when Hot Springs played in Noxon. The Noxon flash mob was scheduled in an effort to focus on the Relay For Life being a countywide event, Wooden said. She hopes that this year, they can get volunteers and at least one team from each community.

“The enthusiasm in Noxon was incredible,” said Wooden. “Since we hadn’t done a flash mob in Noxon before, the element surprise was fun, and we just got a really great response there.”

At both events, Relay For Life volunteers were on hand to share information about this year’s event and the services provided by the American Cancer Society.

“Yes, we set out to raise money, but this year we really want to celebrate cancer survivors and educate our communities about different services available to cancer patients,” Wooden said. The theme of this year’s Relay For Life is “Finish The Fight.” Wooden said they have some new committee members, including her co-chairperson Renee Sieben of Thompson Falls, as well as seasoned volunteers. She said it is a great group with lots of energy, and they are always looking for more volunteers.

The American Cancer Society service report was recently released, detailed services provided by ACS to cancer patients in Montana. In Sanders County, most services provided were free lodging to patients traveling for treatment. From September 2011 through December 2013, 139 no-cost hotel rooms were provided to patients from Sanders County. Other services provided included the Road to Recovery transportation program, wigs, and the Look Good, Feel Better program.

The Look Good, Feel Better program helps women maintain their appearance while undergoing cancer treatment. Beauty professionals provide tips, techniques and tools in the program. Professionals donate their time and talents, and receive training to participate in the Look Good Feel Better program.

Rikki Henderson, ACS staff partner, said that they are looking to expand the program to smaller towns, because often, when a woman travels to cities such as Spokane or Missoula for treatment, they don’t have the time or energy to also stay for a beauty consultation. Henderson said that ACS is looking for beauticians who would be willing to receive training and join the program. Look Good Feel Better also has programs for men and teen cancer patients.

For more information about services offered by the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org.