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The 2019 version of Rock County’s Relay for Life unfolded under pleasant weather conditions with healthy participation at its new location at Take 16 Thursday night.
“I hope everyone enjoyed the change to a block party,” said Lisa Ehlers, local Relay for Life chairwoman.
“It was nice to have everything close together and not so spread apart like at the park. We know we'll have some things to change for next year, but all in all we think it was a hit.”
She said more than 200 people attended the event that raised an estimated $20,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Luverne’s Kim and Maggie Schmidt were the honored Relay for Life survivor and caregiver, and they shared their stories from the microphone inside the Take 16 event center.
“We decided cancer was not going to beat us,” Kim said about his throat cancer diagnosis. “We went into positive mode and it worked.”
He said his type of cancer is proof of the value of research.
When he started his cancer treatment in 2012, doctors said he had an 85 percent chance of survival. Five years prior to that, people with the same diagnosis were given a 5- to 10-percent chance of successful treatment.
Now in his fifth year of remission, he said cancer has taught him to live gratefully.
“We learned through our battle with cancer to appreciate,” he said. “Appreciate the gift of life, of family — Maggie and our sons Isaac and Aaron, friends and community.”
Kim also spoke about the value of support.
“The community, the church … it was crazy. The love and support were overwhelming,” he said. “As we battle, we don’t do it by ourselves. We need support and lots of it. My amazing wife, Maggie, was my biggest cheerleader. She gave everything to the battle.”
At Thursday’s event, Maggie shared her perspective as a caregiver for Kim and how she appreciated those who supported both of them.
“Everyone was just so good to us,” she said, mentioning co-workers, church members, medical professionals, friends and family.
“We will never be able to repay all the people who called, emailed, sent cards and food, etc.”
Ehlers said 92 people participated in the Relay for Life Glow Run and Walk that closed out the event at the end of the night.
More information about the 2019 event is at RelayForLife.org/RockCountyMN or 877-957-7848.