Relay for Life event is smaller event; cancer is still a big deal

Rock County Relay for Life hit its prime in Luverne about 10 years ago when hundreds of people raised thousands of dollars to support the American Cancer Society’s search for a cure.
Dozens of local teams fundraised year-round, and in June they met other teams to “relay” at the park amid live music, food booths, testimonials and, of course, lighted luminaries in memory of or in honor of those with cancer diagnoses.
The staggering amounts of money from generous souls has been truly remarkable, but more than the dollars, and more than the survivors’ balloon release and more than the laps around the park, Relay for Life has always been about support.
The annual event provides a dedicated time and place for people who have been touched by cancer to connect with other people who have been touched by cancer.
They include cancer survivors.
They include cancer patients at various stages of chemo and radiation.
They include those who are grieving the loss of loved ones who didn’t survive cancer.
They include those who are juggling work and family schedules to care for loved ones with cancer — shuttling from one doctor appointment to another, from one treatment protocol to another, and trying to provide comfort in between.
The list goes on.
Relay for Life as a community event isn’t the big deal it once was. But cancer is still a very big deal, and we can all still support our local families affected by cancer.
This year’s event is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 24, in the form of a block party at Take 16 Brewing Company on East Main Street. Check out the ad on our back page, or visit RelayForLife.org/RockCountyMN.