Race against cancer
Johna Nelson’s friend is an eight-year survivor of acute lymphocytic leukemia and the reason Nelson is an eight-year volunteer for Relay for Life of Kootenai County.
“Each year, across the nation, one event brings together entire communities to take part in the fight against cancer,” said Nelson, of Post Falls. “That event is the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.”
The 16th annual Kootenai County Relay for Life will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday and run through noon the next day. The free family event will be held at the Post Falls Greyhound Park and Event Center.
Nelson said volunteering gives her a sense of purpose and community, and she wants to be a good role model for her daughter.
“Cancer is a cause that is close to my heart, because I have had many relatives battle the disease,” Nelson said. “Relay is a time where people celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we’ve lost and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives.”
Teams of eight to 15 people walk the Greyhound Park track, while enjoying live entertainment, dinner, fellowship, silent and live auctions. The Inland Northwest Blood Center will hold a blood drive Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., and cancer society advocacy volunteers will be on hand to inform people about their legislative accomplishments.
The Friday night dinner, provided by Q’doba Mexican Grill, will kick off the festivities at 5 p.m. for survivors and at 7 p.m. for participants. Although free for survivors, there will be a $5 charge for everyone else.
The entertainment line up includes the Kelly Hughes Band, Jim Huntsman Band, Smoke Wagon, Sound Curfew and Coeurimba. New this year is a game show rendition of “Deal or No Deal” with more than $2,000 in prize money.
A special children’s area will have a dunk tank, obstacle course, beading, coloring contest, face painting, balloons and inflatable jumping toys.
Last year 52 teams and various sponsors raised $95,000. The goal this year is $103,000. Donations support the cancer society’s research, education, advocacy and much-needed patient support services, Nelson said.
The top two teams to date, collecting donations online, are Windermere’s Pretty Women with $1,558 pledges and Pain Busters with $777 pledges. The top individuals are Midge Smock and Peggy Hodge.
The teams are encouraged to really “ham it up” and have fun by representing various movie titles. Nelson said the Boy Scouts have “Star Wars” costumes and the Starbucks team has chosen to represent “Sleepless in Seattle.”
As team members complete laps, the night is brightened by the glow of luminarias. Some luminarias celebrate the survivorship of people who have battled cancer and lived to tell the tale. Others commemorate the lives of those who have been lost.
All the luminarias represent people who have been affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to be touched by that experience Nelson said.
“You really have to go to Relay to get the full impact of what it is all about,” Nelson said. “Relay empowers people to fight this disease.”