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 Cancer survivor Ruth Kenaley walked a lap hand-in-hand with her husband Bob during the caregiver walk at the 12th Annual Plymouth County Relay For Life, held Friday night at Jim Lorenzen Field. The Kenaleys and other walkers took time to look at the luminaries together. [Click to enlarge] |
Plymouth County cancer survivors made their traditional survivor lap, each wearing a light purple T-shirt in recognition of their survivorship.
A new walk, the caregiver walk, recognized the many family, friends and medical professionals who stand beside the cancer patient as they make their journey through treatment, providing support in so many ways. Several walked hand-in-hand around the track at Jim Lorenzen Field in Le Mars.
Twenty-one teams registered for the 2008 Relay For Life, with members walking the track each hour throughout the event.
The Carly's Angels team took first place with more than $6,500 raised, followed by Team Mitchel in second place and Medical Associates in third place. Several teams continue to collect donations for the Relay For Life and may hold other fundraising activities during the summer.
Team TOC took the traveling campsite trophy, with Carly's Angels placing second.
Honorary chair Pat Winter was the special speaker during the 10 p.m. luminaria ceremony.
"After my cancer surgery, I realized my past is not my future," Winter said. "I appreciated every card and letter I received during my recovery."
"I feel each day is a treasure. Enjoy your time with family and friends," said Winter, who is a two-time breast cancer survivor. "For me, there is no such day as a bad hair day," she said. "Let's keep fighting." Winter's first diagnosis was in December 2000, the second in 2006.
Nearly 200 luminaria bags lined the track, all decorated in honor of loved ones who have survived cancer and remembering those who had lost their battle. During the ceremony, Wanda Wichers, Betty Kommes, Brenda Ortmann and Cathy Seaton read the names of those honored and remembered with a luminaria.
From midnight to 6 a.m., team members participated in fun walks, including the Bling Bling Lap, 50s and 60s Lap, Glow Lap, Cookie Lap, Poker Lap, Surprise Lap and Bubble Lap.
Selected as the 2009 Survivor King and Queen were Ned MaComb and Marilyn Schoenrock. They will represent the Plymouth County Relay For Life in parades and other events through the year. The two were chosen for the honor at the Survivor Dinner held Thursday, June 5, at Grace Lutheran Church.
Members of the 2008 Plymouth County Relay For Life committee are Melinda Schwartz, Denise Ruden, Diane Ruden, Nicole Jarvis, Michelle DeLarm, June Muth and Beverly Van Buskirk.
Anyone wishing to make a donation for the American Cancer Society through the Plymouth County Relay For Life may contact any of the committee members or Leanne Williams, Community Relations director for the Sioux City American Cancer Society office at 1-888-266-2070, and designate the donation for the Plymouth County event. Contributions for the 2008 Relay For Life may be made through August.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.