City of Ironwood's Daily News Source

2009 Relay For Life
Community Comes Together

Gogebic Community College - June 14, 2009

Groups and individuals from all over our community came together this weekend for the 2009 annual Relay for Life Fundraiser. The relay itself is the culmination of countless individual efforts which contribute to the success of this inspiring event.

The Relay for Life is the annual awareness event of the American Cancer Society which began in May 1986. Its creator, Dr. Klatt got the idea for the event after spending a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83 miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.

That was in May 1985 and one year later with the help of Pat Flynn 19 teams took part in the first team Relay event on the track at the historic Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000.

The Relay for LIfe is more than a fundraiser which raises funds to "Fight Back", an effort to find a cure and to put an end to the dreaded disease.

However, there are two other purposes of the relay.

First, to "celebrate" the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight.

Second, to remember friends and loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.

Saturday morning at midnight I walked for a while with Gary Kusz (pictured above) along the relay path outside the Lindquist Center. As we walked, Gary pointed out the names on the bags lit by candles that outlined the track. Gary of course as we all know lost his wife Kathy to cancer. I later walked the track a while longer with a friend, Laural. Laural is currently a cancer survivor. My time walking with these two people certainly reinforced the meaning of Remembering and Celebrating that is at the core of the Relay For Life. Having not grown up here I was taken aback by the many names that I recognized along the walk. While for me it was an emotionally upsetting experience, it was at the same time a very emotional uplifting experience. It was upsetting to see how in a community as small as ours, how so many people have been effected by the disease. It was however, uplifting to see how many people cared and participated in the event.

I knew this was a special occasion the moment I drove into the college parking lot. The vision of the candle lit bags has an immediate effect on you. One that will remain for a long time, if not forever. Not having been to this event before I was unaware of its magnitude. Next year I will participate to a greater extent than I've done previously.

Hundreds of people who may not have walked the relay Friday and Saturday, have also contributed greatly to the success of this event. Individuals and groups have been holding many, many fundraisers in preparation for this weekend.

(pictured above - the name of people appearing on the candle lit bags were also remembered and honored as their names were projected on the GCC wall.)

There is not a required amount of money to raise in order to participate in Relay For Life. The American Cancer Society's recommendation is for each participant to set a personal goal to raise $100. If you raise more, that's even better. If you do not raise $100, you are still welcome to participate.

(Pictured above - Liz Erickson, Kelly Traczyk and Marcy Kusz. The Going forward members present at the relay Friday. Photo was taken at 12:45 am Saturday. Great job ladies!)

Recently, the Correctional Officers at Ojibway raised money through a Jack 'N' Jill softball tournament. An event covered by IronwoodInfo. The Young Professional Group "Going Forward" also raised money through a casino night, reported to you by the Superior Chronicle. The young professionals have been working on many ways to raise money for the "Relay" As you know, these are just two examples of the countless community efforts that served to make this year's "Relay For Life" the success it deserves.

above - Dan Petersen, Ironwood's favorite Community Development Director. Dan showed up at 3:00 am Saturday morning to join those walking for the cause. Though Dan has previously worked on fundraising for the Relay, this was his first time walking the event. As usual, great job, Dan!