It was a night for the ages, as last Friday's American Cancer Society Relay for Life got under way to the flickering beacons of some 1,390 luminaries that lined the circuit at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. When all was said and done, some $42,960.91 had been collected for cancer research, education and patient services - with still more yet to be counted.
"It was just a wonderful time," said long time volunteer Pat Durkee.
And though warnings for severe weather forced this year's event to shut down early, those who participated continued to ride the tide of the very successful event for hours to come.
Over 130 cancer survivors and their guests attended this year's Survivor Dinner, with entertainment provided by Missy Parker and Judy Vukelich, with accompaniment by Lost Isle. The longest-term survivor in attendance (some 50 years!) was Thelma Strandberg.
During the evening's opening program, a special award was presented by former county commissioner Frank Liupakka and Jan Salo-Korby to State Senator Tony Lourey in recognition of his hard work on helping to pass the "Freedom to Breathe Clean Air Act" that makes public places in the state of Minnesota smoke-free beginning Oct. 1.
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Honorary survivor Jenny Sell spoke about her experience battling through cancer before Lil Lavoy announced the survivors who made the first traditional lap.
Earning the distinction of Platinum status (raising $10,000 or more) at this year's event was the Wiidookaage team of the Fond du Lac Reservation, captained by Deb Susienka. Earning Silver status ($5,000-$7,499) was the Terry's Crusaders team, captained by Pat Durkee. Attaining the Bronze level were Community Memorial Hospital/Sunnyside Health Care Center captained by Trina Storck and Barb Schaak; Lefse for Life, captained by Larry Penk and Rosemary Tobin; and Kancer Kickers, captained by Karen Grover.
Teams and their captains at all other sponsorship levels included: Inn For the Cure, Laurel Peltier; Cheryl's Peeps, Peggy and Christina Beretta; Joshua's Journey Makers, Ruth Hagenah; Happy Hippies, Leah Leno; the Pine Journal, Joel Soukkala; The Rendezvous, Pam McCausland; Fond du Lac College Student Body, Andy Angell; M & M, Patti Ludwig and Denise Woods; Sappi Fine Paper, Patty and Megan Eudy; Step by Step, Jennifer Tibbetts; and Cloquet Eagles #1163, Donald Sparring.
This year's event was sponsored by WDIO-TV, KOOL 101.7, B105, Duluth Clinic Cancer Center, Black Bear Casino Resort, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Fond du Lac Reservation, St. Luke's, The FAN-560 AM, Community Memorial Hospital, MIX-108 and the Pine Journal.
Serving on the 2007 Relay for Life Committee were Karen Grover, Pat Durkee, Lonna Witte, Larry Penk, Rosemary Tobin, Doug Carlson, Robin Bottila, Don Walsh, Jeannie Kermeen, and the Fond du Lac Leadership Team of Deb Susienka, DeAnna Finifrock, Bonnie Wallace, Debra Johnson-Fuller and Karen Dufault.
The goal of the American Cancer Society, through fund-raising events such as the Relay for Life, is to reduce age-adjusted cancer mortality races by 50 percent by 2015, reduce age-adjusted cancer incidence rates by 25 percent, and show "measurable improvement in the quality of life from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life of all cancer survivors."
