Ronan community fights back against cancer
Megan Strickland
Luminaria memorials remind people of cancer’s impact.
Megan Strickland
Cape-clad members of the Family Ties team compete in a dance-off.
Megan Strickland
Louise Schock kills cancer with a beautiful smile and the help of a supportive friend.
Megan Strickland
A tiny Wonder Woman fights back against cancer
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
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RONAN – The Ronan community gathered together to remember those lost, encourage those still fighting and celebrate those who have defeated the enemy in the far-reaching fight against cancer.
The Lake County Relay for Life raised thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society on July 10.
At the event, the disease’s impact on the local community was evident as twinkling candle luminaria bags sent messages of encouragement to those still fighting and honored those who have been lost.
“Never a victim, always a fighter,” read the flowered dedication to Phyllis Murphy.
For Anne Marie Olsson, there was a reminder to live life to its fullest.
“Cancer is not a death sentence,” the message read. “But rather a life sentence. It pushes one to live.”
And for Ferdie and Shirley Woods, there was a shout-out reminder that no disease is so devastating that love can’t trump it.
“I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow,” someone wrote to the duo.
Some of the memorials had photographed smiling faces of those lost glued to them, but others were just illustrations of things beloved to the person honored.
For Terry McDonald, there was a single trout. For Terrance Wall, a drawing of a minion, and a message that read: “We love and miss you.”
Despite the weightiness of the enemy, fighting back at the relay was almost like a game. After the parade of teams, First Interstate Bank and Family Ties teams ended up in a dance-off and laughed as they performed “The Duck Dance” in sprinkles of rain. There wasn’t a frown to be found.
And at the cake auction, Ryan Gage of Gage Accounting, clad in a Captain Underpants uniform, kept the crowd laughing during bidding for a number of super-hero and other cheerily-themed goodies.
Superhero Destiny Hadely,12, came decked out in Teenager Mutant Ninja Turtle gear. She was fighting for her aunt, who survived leukemia.
And Louise Schock of St. Ignatius was simply beaming as she was wheeled around the track, too weak to walk on her own, but still playing a part.
Survivor Marie Hirsch explained what a difference support makes to those going through the fight. She was diagnosed with an intestinal cancer after a routine colonoscopy. Immediately after the diagnosis, Mission Valley doctors gathered around her bedside and prayed for her. And now, many months later, there is no sign of cancer.
“I feel really blessed,” Hirsch said.
This year’s Relay Coordinator Karen Dellwo said Lake County was lucky overall to have so many people dedicated to helping eradicate the disease.
“I’d just like to say thank you to the teams and volunteers for their hard work,” Dellwo said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
