Super heroes fight back at Relay for Life
Karen Peterson photo
Grand Marshals Brynn Pule, 9, Cole Whitworth, 6, and Jade Marr, 2 ride around the track during the survivors’ lap.
Karen Peterson photo
Cmomo Peone, 9, runs in honor of his uncle.
Karen Peterson photo
Luminaries lined the full circle of the Ronan track.
Karen Peterson photo
Sarah Anderson earns a bead for each lap she makes around the track.
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RONAN – Cole Whitworth, 6, and Jade Marr, 2, were honored at last weekend’s Relay for Life for their strength.
Jade has gone through six rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, and a stem cell transplant to remove a tumor in her abdomen. She is currently undergoing immunotherapy.
Cole had surgery to remove a tumor at the back of his brain. He is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.
“It’s heartbreaking to see people go through cancer. It’s hard to see how cancer affects families,” Joyce Kackmann said.
Kackmann organized the annual Relay for Life to help “fight back and find a cure” for cancer with 15 teams logging time on the Ronan track from Friday at 7 p.m. to Saturday at 7 a.m. The money earned benefits cancer research and programs for cancer fighters.
“We walk to remember and to celebrate survivors,” she said. “With the money part of this event, we fight back. We fight so this doesn’t have to happen anymore.”
Grand Marshall Brynn Pule, 9, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma when she was three months old. Brynn’s mom, Stacey Doll, said “surgery saved my daughter’s life.” Brynn takes the first lap of the event riding in an ATV decorated with flags. Stacey rides in the back seat supporting her with a smile followed on foot by other survivors.
Brynn participates in the relay every year, and the rest of the time, she focuses her attention on being a kid. She enjoys animals, sports and getting straight A’s in school, she said.
“I like softball the most” Brynn said.
Lou Rice, Brynn’s grandmother, walks the track in support of her husband, granddaughter, father and others affected by cancer.
“I walk because cancer sucks,” she said.
Sarah Anderson walks for her grandmother with a goal in mind.
“There is a bucket with beads in it at the start. I collect a bead for every lap I make,” she says, holding the string she uses to collect the beads.
“Last year, I walked 17 miles. I want to beat that this year,” she said. “Eventually you get numb, but you have a reason to keep going. It makes you feel good to help, but last year, I could barely move the next day.”
Liz Camel walks the track wearing a purple wig.
“Our team ‘Heroes of Hope’ dressed up as super heroes,” she said. “Adding humor with a costume helps at an emotional event. My sister passed away at 33 from breast cancer. I walk for her.”
Braden Youngren, 14, walks the track again this year.
“A couple people in my family have died from cancer,” he said. “I walk in support of my family.”
Shad Hupka knows several people affected by cancer.
“One of my coworkers is a seven-year survivor,” he said. “Everyone on our team knows someone who has lost the battle or is fighting.”
Jan Block walks with her husband Jake Block.
“She was diagnosed with breast cancer at 61,” Jake said. “She is a 16-year survivor. It’s a great day when the doctor asks ‘Why are you here?’”
Alisha Jore remembers friends as she runs the track.
“Hopefully, we can help make it so cancer isn’t around one day.”
Cmomo Peone, 9, runs to remember a family member.
“I’m running for my uncle,” he said. “I’m going to run as much as I can.”
Ryan Gage, event accountant, noted the amount of relay money raised so far.
“We are close to $40,000,” he said. “People can continue to donate through August.”
Donations are accepted at Gull Printing in Polson or Gage Accounting across from the post office in Polson.
