More than 1.6 million new cancer cases are expected in the United States during 2015, according to the American Cancer Society. A cancer diagnosis can often leave victims and their family members feeling hopeless and scared, but there are ways to turn that fear into action.
The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life fundraising event gives both survivors and victims a voice, an opportunity to take action, as well as the chance to be honored. Relay for Life gives communities across the nation the opportunity to take a stand against cancer.
The Sky Valley Relay for Life event is held every year around Memorial Day at Monroe High School (MHS, 17001 Tester Rd.), and organizers are excited to start preparing for this year's event. The inaugural 2015 Relay for Life planning meeting will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria at MHS. The meeting is geared toward those who would like more information on the event, those who want to form a team, past participants who want to help support the event, as well as anyone else who wants to get involved.
"Basically, it's geared for everyone,GÇ¥ said committee member Lynn LaBoda. "This is the -á-á-á 30th anniversary of the relay and we want to make Monroe's 2015 Relay the biggest and best ever.GÇ¥
The relay's purpose is threefold; to celebrate the lives of people who have survived cancer, to remember loved ones who have lost their lives to the disease and to fight back. The 2015 Sky Valley Relay for Life will start at noon on Saturday, May 30 and go until 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 31. Relay participants walk around the Monroe High School track throughout the entire event.
The event is unique in that it's not specific to any one form of cancer but covers the entire spectrum. Money raised helps fund research, along with a vast array of patient services.
Last year, the Monroe event raised $123,000 through a total of 68 teams, with 105 cancer survivors. Committee chairs Linda Pearl and Linda Huskey hope to grow the event even more in 2015.
The Relay for Life tradition was founded in 1985 in Tacoma, Washington by Dr. Gordy Klatt. Friends, patients and members of his family supported his efforts as he ran and walked around the Baker Stadium track at the University of Puget Sound, racking up more than 83.6 miles in a 24-hour time period. Klatt raised $27,000 in pledges, and decided that he wanted to broaden his concept by inviting others to take part.
In 1986, a total of 19 teams participated, raising a total of $33,000. To date, Relay for Life events have raised approximately $5 billion in 20 different countries to help fight cancer.
Dr. Klatt passed away on Aug. 3, 2014 from heart failure, after battling stomach cancer. He was 71 years old.
The Sky Valley Relay for Life event gives residents of Monroe and the greater Sky Valley area the opportunity to celebrate many cancer victories, while mourning the other losses.
"It's a place for cancer patients, survivors and caretakers to find a community of support,GÇ¥ LaBoda said. "There is a tremendous amount of support within this relay community. We share our stories. We cry with each other. We celebrate advancements in treatment.GÇ¥
Different activities take place throughout the day and night to help create a diverse and fun event that has has both its lighthearted and more serious moments. There's the Mr. Relay Beauty Pageant, in which men dress up and participate in a comical beauty pageant, as well as different themed laps. Past events have included a Hawaiian lap, a Mardi Gras lap and more.
"Folks dress up according to the theme,GÇ¥ LaBoda said. "Last year we had cowboy lap.GÇ¥
Sometime after dark, usually around 10 p.m., the Luminaria Ceremony takes place to honor those affected by cancer. White paper bags, which are decorated to honor, remember and celebrate those touched by cancer, are set up along the track and illuminated by flameless LED candles. Each different luminaria bag represents a person who has been affected by the disease.
"Luminaria is the highlight of the relay,GÇ¥ LaBoda said. "It focuses on why we relay.GÇ¥
After a presentation by someone who has triumphed over cancer, the luminaria bags are lit as a bagpipe player plays. Last year, Sgt. Brian Johnston played "Amazing GraceGÇ¥ as Relay for Life attendees walked the track together.
Royalty from Gold Bar's own Miss Gold Dust Pageant will participate in this year's event, and will dedicate their continuous walk around the track to cherished Gold Bar wife and mother Alysha Roeder, 38, who lost her battle with lung cancer on Dec. 4, 2014. They will name their team "Take My Breath AwayGÇ¥ in Alysha's memory.
Last year, Miss Gold Dust Royalty, including pageant co-chairs Patty and Katelyn Baller, donated a total of 42 inches of hair at the event's hair donation salon. One of the girls, Gold Dust Teen Miss Lin'z Lucey, 15, shaved her entire head to help support cancer patients undergoing hair loss. Currently serving as the reigning Miss Gold Dust Queen of Queens, Lucey plans on participating in the event again this year.
Up to 15 people can participate on a team, and there is no minimum requirement. The idea is to have at least one team member walking around the track throughout the entire event.
Teams fundraise between now and relay weekend, although some teams fundraise year-round. So far, there are 17 teams registered for the Sky Valley Relay for Life event.
Nine-year Sky Valley Relay for Life participant Kevin Johnson, formerly of Sultan, co-chaired the event in 2012 and 2013 with Jerry Dixon, owner of Big Dog's Hot Dog Joint in Monroe. Johnson's wife Lis is a leukemia survivor.
"Personally, I loved the event because every year it allowed me to share with my three kids the story of their mom, a soon-to-be 10-year leukemia survivor,GÇ¥ he said. "My trio grew up in relay, and because of that day and the fundraising that led up to that day, they are more open-minded about this disease, community and giving back. As I've always shared with people, it's my favorite day of the year.GÇ¥
Johnson, who moved to Spokane, Washington with his family in August 2014, said that the best part of the event was seeing the community come together.
"We celebrate our survivors, we remember those that we lost,GÇ¥ he said, "and we all fight back against cancer, together, as one team, one community.GÇ¥
For more information on the -áevent, visit: https://www.facebook.com/rflskyvalley or emailLinda Pearl pearlfam1@aol.com and Linda Huskey Lindahuskey@gmail.com.
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