Relay for Life participants beat the heat, continue fight to beat cancer

Cancer survivors and their caregivers take the first lap at Saline County Relay for Life Friday evening, June 26. The walk began as survivors passed under the balloon archway and followed the "track" out of the Marshall High School gymnasium into the commons and through the hallways, finally entering the gym from the opposite side. (Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"Congratulations to all you folks who have survived or are in the process right now of surviving cancer," he said as he stood on a stage made to look like a boxing ring.

Relay's theme was "Be a Sport: Rally Around for Relay," which was inspired by co-chair Georgia Yates' battles with cancer. Yates said she uses her boxing gloves to fight the disease.

The event was moved inside MHS -- using the gymnasium, commons and hallway areas -- because of extreme heat conditions.

Matt Riley gave the invocation for the event, which included a message in verse inspired by his father-in-law, a cancer patient.

"We know there is a cure in heaven, when we get the chance to go," was one line of Riley's poem.

Members of MHS Choraliers sang the national anthem as the colors were presented before survivors and caregivers took the traditional first lap of the evening. After their walk, the survivors were honored with a dinner sponsored by ConAgra Foods.

Later in the evening, Marshall Dance Connection students and Steve & Michelle's Praise Team performed for Relay attendees.

Angela Rehagen, who works with American Cancer Society in Columbia, said this year's Relay was a successful one.

"I was very happy with it," she said. "We surpassed our goal."

Relay participants raised more than the goal of $25,000 for ACS. Organizers had hoped to have 15 teams, as well as 50 cancer survivors in attendance; in fact, 115 survivors came to the event.

Those involved in Relay will hold a wrap-up meeting July 7 at 6 p.m. at Buckner Wellness Center.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net