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A new location, a new day and new honorary chairpersons will greet those who attend this year’s Rock County Relay for Life event in Luverne next week.
Scheduled for Thursday, June 7, the event begins with the 5:30 p.m. supper and the 7 p.m. opening ceremonies in the Luverne Elementary School.
With an indoor location, organizers won’t worry about weather conditions.
Scott Wessels has been on the local Relay organizing board for two years. He’s been involved with various Relay activities since 2012.
“Every year it’s such a great event, but weather is often an issue with threats of thunderstorms or too hot and humid,” Wessels said. “It’s the first time the event will be indoors.”
This year Wessels, along with Katie Walgrave, also of Luverne, are the honorary chairpersons and will give the evening’s keynote addresses.
Walgrave’s spouse, Russell Forrest, is this year’s honorary caregiver. He will also speak at the event.
All three will give different messages about cancer and how the disease has affected them.
Message to those new to
the Relay for Life event
Wessels said his message is tailored to individuals attending their first or second Relay event.
“Ten years ago I was untouched by cancer,” he said. “Unfortunately someone close to you will get cancer.”
Since 2008 he watched a childhood neighbor battle and lose his life to cancer, and in 2012 his mom, Jolene, died from cancer.
Last fall Wessels received his own diagnosis.
“I’m lucky,” he said. “I have two forms of cancer that are highly treatable.”
Wessels advocates early detection, and everyone needs to be especially vigilant about skin cancer.
“If you feel you’re at risk … have it checked out now. Don’t wait for the pains,” he said. “Use sunscreen.”
Imposter syndrome and
‘Never give up’ attitude
Walgrave was a young mother of two when she received her cancer diagnosis eight years ago.
The experience leaves her feeling like a cancer imposter.
“It’s kind of weird,” she said. “It feels like it should have been so much worse.”
Months of chemotherapy treatments stopped the cancer and saved her life. However, she and her husband won’t have any more children because of a potential reoccurrence.
“It’s like you had one best friend and you shared a secret and they betrayed that secret,” Walgrave said.
In 2010 the couple thought they were preparing for child No. 3. Their children, Egypt and Fox, were ages 5 and 2 respectively.
However, the “baby” was choriocarcinoma, a rare and fast-growing uterine cancer and was not a baby.
The shock of being sent to an oncologist instead of an OB-GYN was initially a scary thought for her spouse.
Russell Forrest said he thought of the late basketball coach Jimmy Valvano’s message: “Never Give Up.” The confidence helped him be a stronger caregiver and advocate for available treatment options.
“I don’t give up hope easily — that’s not who I am,” he said. “In very rare instances there isn’t something that can’t be done.”
What is Relay for Life?
Relay for Life is a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Funds raise go to ACS for cancer research, patient support services, prevention and education information, and detection and treatment programs.
Luverne’s event began 18 years ago. ACS began Relay for Life in 1985.
Originally the fundraiser involved walking a preset coarse surrounded by luminaries by relay teams in the overnight event.
Now the event no longer goes overnight.
Events for Luverne’s June 7 Relay for Life event are:
•5:30-7 p.m. supper.
•5:45 p.m. silent auction begins and musical entertainment by Ross Bergman and Augusta Papik.
•6:30 p.m. ponytail auction.
•7 p.m. opening ceremonies that include honorary speeches, survivors lap, introduction of teams and the church ladies.
•8:30 p.m. silent auction closes.
•8:45 p.m. closing ceremony.
•9:15 p.m. 5K Glow Run/Walk.