Relay for life assists local cancer research

The good news in the fight against cancer is that the death rate in the United States is continuing to decline, according to an annual report released on March 9, 2016 by the American Cancer Society. The decline began in the early 1990’s and shows the rate of death from cancer is going down among both men and women, for children, and for most common types of cancer, including lung, colon, breast, and prostate. However, the report identified some cancer types with increasing incidence or death rates, including liver cancer.“Fight back, celebrate, and remember,” Temple said that these are the steps in fighting cancer.Funds raised are used for cancer research, an information help line thats open 24/7, as well as local programs like “Road to Recovery” where patients can get rides to doctor appointments and treatments. There is also help with travel expenses, and wigs are available for patients who lose their hair during radiation treatments.The Bingo game on Wednesday raised about $350. Temple said that the Mineral County teams have fund raisers all year long, for example the Mineral County team just held a bake sale on Friday. The Quilt Guild team has fundraisers like their white elephant sale, and teams will have a Lunch in the Lot around the first part of June where different lunch items will be served in downtown Superior.“It’s really very touching,” said Temple, “there must be 300 to 400 of them placed around the track. It really gets the point across that there aren’t very many people who have not been touched by cancer is some way. Whether it’s a relative, or a friend who has struggled with the disease.”As part of the Relay for Life event, there is a Luminaria Ceremony, an honoring in which people place luminaries around the track in remembrance of a loved one who has been lost to cancer, or for a cancer survivor. “There are eight to twelve teams in Mineral County,” said Peggy Temple, one of the event organizers, “and we usually have about 40 to 50 survivors register for the event.”About 50 people showed up for the Kick-Off, which included refreshments and a rousing evening of Bingo. The evening began with information about this year’s Relay for Life event which will be held on June 24 at the Superior track field. It was also a chance for teams and individuals to sign up for the Relay. Voices were heard yelling “Bingo!” from the concessions area of Superior High School on Wednesday, March 16, as Mineral County’s Relay for Life program held its annual Kick-Off.