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Relay for Life event raises cancer awareness
"There is no finish line... until we find a cure," was the mantra for last week's local Relay For Life, an annual event sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
The 4th annual event brought out citizens from all over the city of Mountain Home to Tiger Field in an attempt to give their support to cancer research and to celebrate survivors and the individuals who lost their fight with the disease. The event featured a total of 31 teams, (last year 17 teams participated), a total that "blew away" the organizers of the event.
Merchandising was sold by various organizations participating from tents spread out all over the track, everything from T-shirts to face painting and glow-in-the-dark jewelry.
Every team that participated put on individual fundraisers, some for three months, some for the whole year. Some of the activities included garage sales, car washes, bake sales, and even "flamingo flocking."
In showing age had no limit with the event, the age range of the participants was from 3 months to 83 years.
The lead organizer of the event was Debbie Bessey, an ambassador to the American Cancer Society. She's aided in many of the bills for cancer research being lobbied on the state legislature. On a solemn note, she lost her father most recently to the disease, a rare cancer of the jaw. With that loss, she was focused in her efforts. "I have a dream and it's a dream of a cancer free world," she said.
In attendance was Mayor Joe B. McNeal, who was there to give praise to the event coordinators and to give his support to the participants in the relay. He was thrilled over the effort of the volunteers coming together to aid in the cause. "This is one of the best events in Mountain Home for cancer awareness," he said.
Before the race, Bessey explained why the event is an overnight affair. She said it is a symbolic event for the cancer survivors 'battle with the disease. "Cancer never sleeps," she said.
McNeal gave thanks to the organizers and Sen. Tim Corder, an attendee at all four events since it began, gave an invocation.
The race started off with the first lap, which featured all of the cancer survivors participating. They were all wearing purple shirts, with notable phrases on the back such as, "Survivor", "I'm Winning" and "I'm Living Proof." Mayor McNeal shook all of the survivor's hands and on stage referred to them as "my team."
The next lap featured all of the caregivers participating. Then all of the different organizations took to the track, one after another, all decked out in different colored shirts, football uniforms and balloon hats.
The participants all had specific reasons for taking part.
"I think it means giving back to the community," said Itsasne Ibaivariaga, a Mountain Home Junior High student and member of the Firewalkers team. She was participating in the event in honor of her grandmother, who is a survivor of skin cancer.
"I don't know anyone with cancer, but it's very important," said Kelly Robbins, another Mountain Home Junior High student and member of the Firewalkers team.
"It's a nice cause. We've had one of our friends die of cancer. It's our way of honoring her," said Autumn Hastings, a student of Cornerstone Christian Academy
"It's a celebration of people, a nice way to remember and honor people we lost," said Beverly Davis, a survivor of breast cancer.
A local troop of the Boy Scouts, Troop 102, sponsored on Mountain Home Air Force Base, was in attendance. The scouts, led by scoutmaster Ken Anderson, looked eager to aid in the community affair: "It helps build their values in doing stuff for others," Anderson said.
The workers manning the event all had high praise for the turnout and the event itself. "I think it's amazing, how much everyone does and sacrifices," said Kendra Stachum, team recruitment manager.
"The relay is a time for survivors and loved ones to come together and celebrate life," said Jessie Gillingham, staff partner for American Cancer Society.
The evening featured different fun-filled events, from a water balloon toss to a flag football game and a way to beat the heat with an ice-melting contest, where teams banded together to come up with ways of melting a block of ice. The most creative was the team representing Century 21, which took one of it own company signs and stabbed at the ice, which won the event.
During the relay, different themed laps were announced, such as the Macarena lap, where every relay participant would perform the dance while walking.
Also featured at the event was the Wall of Hope banner, located at Bessey's tent. The banner was for individuals participating to sign the banner and show their support to the cause. The organizers use this banner to send to the state and national legislatures to show them that the people of the country care to find a cure.
The most heart-felt time of the evening was the Luminaria ceremony, where the crews prepare a candlelit vigil over the bleachers, spelling the words, "CARE" and "HOPE." Featured in the ceremony was a white table and chair located on the main stage, a symbolic memoriam for every soul who died. The relay participants, and whoever was attending the event, could also leave their best wishes on the table.
With how well the event turned out, Bessey and her daughter, Dana, are looking forward to next year. For more information on the relay call Debbie Bessey at 890-4284 or Jessie Gillingham at 422-0175.