Small Relay for Life event celebrates survivors

The evening of June 23, a small, dedicated group met at the Courthouse Square in Clarion for the 2017 Wright County Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society.

In past years, the event was also held in Eagle Grove and other communities in addition to Clarion. In 2009, 19 teams took part in the relay, and the communities raised close to $25,000. But for the past few years, the event has gotten smaller and smaller. After being cancelled in 2016 due to lack of leadership, this year’s Relay for Life event brought a very small group together, with less than 25 people attending, including survivors.

“When you don’t have the event every year, people forget,” said Tina Coleman, area American Cancer Society representative who started this year. Due to the small number of supporters at the event, Coleman said they may consider a different sort of fundraiser for next year.

But for those who were gathered, the event was very meaningful.

“Mom had breast cancer six years ago. That was really hard. But to see the support of the survivors is awesome,” said Julie Schmidt, local co-chair of the even along with Janey Gochenouer. “I’m proud of the survivors we do have.”

 

For the full story, see the June 29 edition of the Monitor.

Wright County Monitor

P.O. Box 153
Clarion, IA 50525
Phone: 515-532-2871
Email: news@wrightcountymonitor.com

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