18 Annual East Polk County Relay for Life
Thu, 07/07/2016 - 9:15am
admin
The American Cancer Society East Polk County Relay for Life event was held on Friday, June 24th at New Journey Church in Fosston. This annual fundraising event supports the American Cancer Society’s mission to save and improve lives touched by cancer, through funding cancer research, education, and providing important services to cancer patients in our communities.
The 18th Annual event began with each of the seven teams setting up their campsites and visitors were able to stop at each team’s site for a bite to eat, or to purchase something or just to visit.
Paul Peltier began the Opening Ceremony of the Relay at 6:30pm, singing the National Anthem. Followed by the Honorary Survivor speaker, Barb Wickham. Next cancer survivors in attendance were recognized and each given a purple balloon to take outside and release.
Local community members then performed in the Relay’s Got Talent show for a great crowd of family, friends and community members.
The luminaria lighting ceremony followed and those in attendance could walk a small path and reflect on those that have lost their battle to cancer and others who have survived. The small track inside the church was lined with luminaria. Each was lit in honor or memory of those who have faced cancer, those who lost their battle, those who won, and those who contine to fight. Each Luminaria on the track represents someone special, and serves as a tribute to our community’s fight against cancer.
The event was co-chaired by Jodi Thompson and Hazel Trogstad. Team Captains were Brook Burggraf, Barb Wickham, Crystal Munter, Mary Dyrdahl, Andrew Hanson, Jodi Thompson, Linda Godtland, Ernie Agnes and Robin Anderson. Each team consisted of family members, friends, and coworkers.
To learn more about the event, or to register your team go to RelayForLife.org. You can visit the American Cancer Society at cancer.org to find tips, tools and resources to help you set goals, stay motivated and live a healthy and active life, along with guidelines for cancer screenings, so people know what tests they need to find caner early and how to help prevent the disease.