by Dennis Dalman
Though she did bring much-needed rain, Mother Nature did not cooperate for the annual Relay for Life event Sept. 23 in Sartell. But it didn’t matter because the event took place despite the weather – inside the Sartell Community Center.
“No, Mother Nature did not stop our fight against cancer,” said Sartell resident Kathy Wilson, one of the five key planners of the event. It was the third consecutive year that Relay for Life took place in Sartell. The events, which take place throughout the nation, raise money and awareness in the battle against cancer. Cancer survivors, their loved ones and supporters gather for the event.
About 180 people attended the Relay for Life in Sartell.
“The weather was not ideal, but the community-center people went out of their way to help us move it indoors, inside the center,” Wilson said. “We used the inside walking path around the top of the basketball court. Luminary bags lined that whole pathway.”
A contingent from the Sartell Fire Department showed up for the event, and a few firefighters led the “Survivor Lap” indoors.
A deejay provided music during the day.
Wilson, a long-time Relay for Life enthusiast, is a retired licensed practical nurse who worked on the orthopedics unit of the St. Cloud Hospital. Wilson’s father was a cancer survivor but died two years ago at age 85.
“As a nurse, I saw so much cancer,” Wilson said, “and I’ve lost so many friends to it.”
The keynote speaker at the event was book-author Mike Garland of Becker, who is a passionate supporter of Relay for Life and who spoke of why that event is so important to so many people and helpful in the fight against cancer.
Garland is the author of “Mike+You=Cure,” a very well-received book about his travel adventures during which he was able to bring awareness about cancer while raising many thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society. Garland’s wife and many people he knows are cancer survivors.
The Relay for Life in Sartell was to have been from 3-11 p.m., but because of wet weather, some planned activities had to be cancelled, including two outdoor walking laps and a biodegradable-balloon launch dubbed “Messages to Heaven.” The event ended at 9 p.m. rather than 11 p.m.
The theme of this year’s Relay for Life was “Every Step Brings Hope.”
The “Survivors’ Lap” was one of the activities at the Sartell Community Center during the Relay for Life event held there recently. The event raised awareness and funding for the fight against cancer. The Survivors’ Lap was comprised mainly of cancer survivors, including the wife of Mike Garner of Becker (middle front). Garner, who was the keynote speaker, is at the right in the photo with his dog, Goose. The Garners’ daughter is at the left.
The Relay for Life event at the Sartell Community Center offered lots of fun for children who attended, including a hula-hoop session and face-painting.
