Relay For Life keeps celebrating survivors

The format may change, but the mission stays the same — Relay For Life’s heart and soul are cancer survivors and their caregivers: 

“We honor their strength and courage with every step they take. It doesn’t matter if you were diagnosed 10 days ago or 10 years ago, you can walk while everyone gathers together to cheer you on,” states the American Cancer Society Relay For Life website, which includes Relay For Life of Thayer County.  

This year, the event, which is also scheduled on Facebook, will be Aug. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Roosevelt Park. 

A Survivor’s meal will be sponsored by Thayer County Health Services at the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department from 11 a.m., to 1 p.m.

There will be a cake raffle in honor or memory of loved ones as well as a silent and live auction. Lumanaries are available on the website for preorder. 

Lumanaries may be dedicated in honor of loved ones who survived, are fighting or lost their battle with cancer. Luminarias are typically lit after dark in rememberance and a moment of silence is observed.

Although activities are scaled down this year, the county Relay For Life team is celebrating survivors with a Survivor’s lap around the park. 

“Relay For Life used to be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” county committee member, Andi Domeier, explained. 

Last year, Domeier and the county’s Relay For Life crew took a different approach and held activities at Thayer Central, Bruning-Davenport and Deshler Public Schools to reach out to the younger crowd. 

“The kids were really excited,” Domeier said. 

Indeed, Relay For Life was an all-night event with Survivors, family members and friends, but it’s purpose hasn’t changed — fundraising proceeds assist in cancer research, rides to treatment and many other services for patients.