Relay for Life honors local cancer survivors

Cancer victim Ty Ulmer had a large support group, family and nurses, turn out to cheer him on in the relay.

Purple Week in Mountain Home concluded Friday night and Saturday morning with the annual Relay for Life raising money for cancer research and victim assistance.

Despite cold rainy conditions, the event still drew well over a hundred participants.

Events began Friday night starting with registration, a Survivors dinner, followed by the Survivors walk on the track at Eastside Park and an evening full of other events.

Many of the teams had their tents set up and were awaiting the night's events to start when the weather took a stormy turn.

The wind started and some tents were swept away. Then it started raining, but more people seemed to notice the rainbow it created than the rain itself, remarking how appropriate the rainbow was for the event.

Those in the Survivors' tent for dinner kept warm with blankets and held on to their dinner plates to keep them from blowing away.

As for the teams, they were holding down their tents or helping others around the track.

Before the weather turned bad, many of the teams were happy to share their stories of cancer battles.

One local Mountain Home team and family, the Ulmers, shared the story of their son, Ty Ulmer, 13, who has been diagnosed with a rare, aggressive bone-cancer, Osteosarcoma.

Last year on Sept. 11, Ty received the news that he had cancer.

"Ty decided on his own that the cancer in his leg was enough and that he wanted his leg removed. That was in January and as of right now he is doing great. No cancer in any other part of his body and has a few more chemotherapy treatments to go through," said his mother, Kim Ulmer.

"He is one of strongest kids I know, and he still puts a smile on his face and is determined to win his battle with cancer," added his grandmother.

Ty's treatment is being done at St. Lukes Pediatrics Cancer Ward, in Boise, where he has five nurses that are very supportive of him, and came to Mountain Home to help him participate in the evening's events.

In March, to help raise money and awareness, those in support of Ty shaved their heads, even his male nurse.

"We are hoping for the best and very thankful we have such great family support and looking forward to our son having the best life," said Kim Ulmer.

You can visit Ty's site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/tyulmer.

Another team that was able to keep their tent in place and share their story was the "Army" tent from the local Idaho National Guard detachment.

The 15-member team was there on behalf of team captain Chris Lentes' wife, Erika, a cancer survivor.

One of the youngest members of their team, the 14-year-old daughter of Sgt. Reed, was well prepared for the evening's event.

Kevin Mayborn, another team member said "we are looking forward to having a fun evening and are very happy to have Sgt. Reed's daughter participating in the evening events.

"She has her bag full of wigs, and clothes to match the music theme of the evening. Very nice to have a young girl that is supporting this event."

The amount of money raised at this year's event by the 32 teams for Relay for Life was not available at press time.

For more photo's, see Mountain Home News Photo Gallery.