Cancer Network of Sanders County hosts annual lantern launch

One after another the glowing bags, their sides marked with messages of love and remembrance, climbed into the cool autumn sky.

Then, on a night of tribute and love, it happened. A symbolic event worthy of the cause.

One of the bags, just released from human hands, headed straight into the branches of a nearby tree that was filled with dry leaves clinging on in defiance of their pending fate.

Several in the crowd of onlookers gasped, fearing the worst case scenario. Their voices came together, urging the fire-lit bag to break free and continue on its ascent toward freedom.

As if by divine intervention, the bag bounced several branches higher only to get stuck again. Then another bounce upward and onward until finally it had shaken free of its last bind, climbing higher and higher into the night sky.

The crowd cheered, hearts were both gladdened and relieved.

With a dazzling array of Christmas lights all around the launch site at the Sanders County Fairgrounds, the moment marked another successful event hosted Saturday night by the Cancer Network of Sanders County and their efforts to aid and comfort those affected by the often deadly disease.

“We hope to add some cheer to things this year,” said CNSC Board President Shelly Bertrand. “This is a way to honor the ones we’ve lost to cancer and to raise funds to help those who are affected by this disease”.

With Covid concerns cancelling many fund-raising events, the 10th Annual Lantern Launch took on added significance this year. Despite cold temperatures and virus concerns, a steady stream of area residents made their way to the fairgrounds.

“We usually get around 100 people who come out take part in the event,” said Board member John Clark, who was taking part in his 10th lantern event. “Our fund raising efforts have been down this year, with not as many event being held due to Covid concerns.”

Saturday night’s event attracted at least the usual number of participants, who donated $10 per lantern. Most wrote loving messages to members of their families who have succumbed to cancer.

The lanterns were lighted inside a large fairgrounds building, out of the cold and slight wind. Donors then carefully walked the inflated bags outside before releasing them.

In the past 10 years alone, the CNSC has raised and distributed nearly $800,000 thanks to events like the lantern launch and the group’s annual yard sale extravaganza. The money is given to Sanders County residents who have been diagnosed with cancer.

“To help those people who are diagnosed with cancer in Sanders County, we provide $900 in funds to be used however they wish,” said Bertrand. “People can use them for gas to get to and from medical appointments, motel rooms, whatever they need to make their lives a little more comfortable.”

Bertrand, who was attending her third lantern launch as president, has direct experience with the fear and devastation involved with being diagnosed with cancer.

Several years ago she was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 21 and while she was pregnant with her daughter. She was able to defeat the cancer and overcome the effect it had on her newborn daughter.

“She (daughter) was pretty sick when she was born,” Bertrand said. “I was mostly concerned about her.”

The daughter recovered to become a happy, healthy child and is one of the reasons Bertrand now smiles when she mentions her five grandchildren.

“One of our goals is to get more people aware of and involved in helping cancer patients,” she said. “Events like this help our efforts toward that goal.”

The CNSC was founded in 2001 and will celebrate 20 years of service this January.

Those wishing to donate to the CNSC can do so via their website or by attending future events, which are listed on the website.