COLUMBUS -- Those young and old gathered for a night of hope and to fight back again cancer at the annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
The overnight fundraising event began Friday night at Pawnee Park’s Memorial Stadium and concluded Saturday morning. Organizers said it was the most successful relay in Platte County as there were many records broken, including the most money ever raised.
The goal of $165,000 was smashed as the event brought in $211,430.
Kim Pichler, co-chairperson of the event, said Columbus has always been very supportive of the event and credits the community, the corporate sponsors and getting the word out about Relay for Life to this year’s success.
Money raised through Relay for Life goes toward cancer research, educational programs and services to patients. Overall, the event is meant to honor and celebrate those who have survived cancer and also to remember those who have lost their lives to the disease.
The event featured teams who’s members took turns walking around the track throughout the night and into the next morning.
But the first lap, the one reserved for cancer survivors, proved to be one of the most emotional parts of the event.
This year, 200 survivors dressed in purple T-shirts walked the “Survivor Victory Lap.” The group was led by Charli Preister, the honorary head of the event, and her parents Chad and Brenda Preister.
Charli, who is nearly 2, was diagnosed with a type of cancer called neuroblastoma and now has no evidence of the disease after going through chemotherapy treatments.
The Preisters have been active in sharing their daughter’s story in hopes of raising more awareness for all cancers, especially childhood cancer.
“Cancer is a four letter word in every sense and needs to be banished,” Brenda Preister said.
Another moving part of the event came as the sun set. The luminarias that lined the track and spelled out the words “Hope” and “Cure” in the stands were lit. The bags were in honor of those who were lost to cancer, have been diagnosed or have survived.
Survivors, like Jim Schmidt of Monroe, called Relay for Life hopeful and inspirational. Schmidt, who had prostate cancer, had been coming to the event for several years and said it was an amazing feeling to be among the other survivors.
Charlotte Carrig of Columbus, a breast cancer survivor, said the event proved that a diagnoses of cancer doesn’t mean it is a death sentence.
“My granddaughter asked me, ‘How could you have had cancer? You didn’t die.’ I told her just because you have cancer doesn’t mean you die,” Carrig said.
Hopefully, with the success of the local Relay for Life, there will be more research, education and services available to help those who have been diagnosed with cancer and maybe, one day, a cure will be found.
A cure is why Pichler, who has been involved with Relay for Life for 13 years, said she continues with the fundraiser. She sees a future where cancer will no longer claim anyone’s life.
“I relay because I don’t want my daughter to relay,” Pichler said.
Corporate sponsors of the event included Hy-Vee, Becton-Dickinson, Columbus Community Hospital, Three Eagles Communication, Time Warner Cable, Wal-Mart, The Columbus Telegram, EGS Electrical Group, First National Bank, JP Productions, Holiday Inn Express, Bank of the West, Behlen Mfg., D&D Industries Inc., Flexcon, Pinnacle Bank, Private Security Consultants, Super Saver, The UPS Store, Columbus Physical Therapy, Golden Living Center, NPP LLC, Norman Witt Feedlot, STAFFCO Inc., Vishay Dale Electronics and West Point Implement of Columbus.
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