Relay Brings People Together Despite Hot Weather

On a hot August evening Aug. 11, people from different generations, people with different experiences with cancer, people who have fought and are currently fighting the battle against cancer came together for the Northeast Montana Relay for Life. As a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, seven teams from Northeast Montana including Thrivent Financial, The Glasgow Courier, Strides of Hope, Praying for a Cure, Opheim Cares, Glasgow Cross Country and the Glasgow Student Council sold luminaries, sold raffle tickets, purchased silent auction items, had a bake sale, and walked in solidarity with those who are currently fighting the battle against cancer.

The evening started off with opening ceremonies, which included an opening prayer by Tom Fauth, the flag presentation by the American Legion Post 41 and a rendition of the National Anthem by those in attendance. To officially kick off the night, Joyce Stone, who is currently battling cancer herself, lit the Flame of Hope, which stayed glowing throughout the evening.

Keynote speaker and Glasgow native Lana Jakanoski Koch shared her journey from being perfectly healthy one day, to having pain in her hip, to having that pain go away, and then to have it reappear a few months later more aggressive. Jakanoski Koch's doctors initially believed she had bone cancer however after seeing a bone oncologist in Utah, it was determined she has stage four hormone positive breast cancer. She shared her experiences from being told she had cancer, to having to rearrange her life, including cancelling a Disney trip and a trip to New York, where her then boyfriend was going to propose, to the family and friend support during treatment. She shared how her cancer is being treated as a chronic disease and how she will always be fighting the fight, every single day. "Some days are better than others, thankfully I am on a drug that is working really well, so I'm not feeling the effects as much as other drugs I have been on," she stated during her speech. While listening to her story, it was apparent caregivers and survivors in the audience related to her, her experiences, and admired her strength to move forward for her husband, her daughters, her friends and her family.

After the emotional speech, MC A.J. Etherington dared the audience to raise $100 to be donated to the American Cancer Society, and he would put on a hula skirt and coconut bra if the funding was achieved. It didn't take one minute before the funds were raised with a single $100 bill and Etherington quickly changed for the cause.

Survivors in attendance came together and walked around the track where all the luminarias that were sold and decorated were placed. While Rachel Patten's "Fight Song" played in the background, survivors banded together, viewed the luminaries that were decorated in honor of them as well as viewed luminarias of those who have passed.

After the survivor walk, the teams, who were made up of survivors, caregivers and supporters, made their walk around the track, walking in solidarity to those who have survived, who are currently battling and for those who have lost their battle to cancer. The team laps also gave the opportunity to support all those affected by cancer, and remember those who have fought, are fighting and/or lost the battle.

After the laps, entertainment ensued with the Mr. Geezer competition, sponsored by 5th Avenue Pharmacy and Gifts. Dennis Honrud, Ken Koutz, Dan Reddig and Kenny Reimche competed for the title. After answering trivia questions, competing in a game of forehead basketball and collecting donations from those in attendance, reigning champ Ken Koutz got dethroned by Opheim's Dennis Honrud. In total, $482 was raised during the Mr. Geezer competition, which will be donated to the American Cancer Society. As darkness approached, water balloon games facilitated by the GHS Student Council kept people entertained and cool. After the second game, a full-out water balloon fight ensued where everyone of all ages enjoyed the nice cooldown.

At around 10 p.m., names were placed on a projector screen, and luminarias were lit to honor and remember. All in all, it was a successful evening according to event organizers, though participation was down compared to previous years. "The number keeps dropping over the past few years," stated event organizer and one of the MCs for the evening Rod Karst. "The event used to be held in the GHS gymnasium, where the whole gymnasium was filled with luminarias and people."

Relay for Life isn't the only event the committee organizes as other fundraising opportunities are Cuisine for the Cure and Festival of Trees. However, it's really hard to put on these events with a small number of volunteers. Committee member Jamie Seyfert echoed the decline stating "It's hard to get volunteers anymore. We are currently only at six committee members which is a really small number for all that we do to raise awareness and funds for cancer." To date, as of before the event starting on Aug. 11, $31,092 was raised for the year, and funds were added to that total after the Mr. Geezer event and the silent auctions. As of press time, a new total wasn't available, but committee members know the amount is lower than last year. "We need to find new ways to get people involved, to get people to participate," said honorary committee member Eric Seyfert.

If you are interested in joining and making a difference, the committee meets the first Tuesday at the Busted Knuckle every month starting in September, and welcomes new members to join.