For Warren County residents Al and Jean Biggs, Relay For Life of Warren County has been a pivotal part of their lives for several decades.The couple, who will soon celebrate their 65th wedding …
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For Warren County residents Al and Jean Biggs, Relay For Life of Warren County has been a pivotal part of their lives for several decades.The couple, who will soon celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary, are both long-time cancer survivors.Jean overcame bouts with pancreatic cancer in 1974 and breast cancer in 1981. Al successfully battled prostate cancer in 1994.It’s the support they received while on their own courageous journeys that has encouraged them to continue staying involved with the cause as Reach to Recovery and Road to Recovery volunteers.They were again in attendance and serving at the 2018 Relay For Life of Warren County held Aug. 25 at Black Hawk Middle School.“When God gets ready to take me, He’s got to make it plainer than He has,” said Al Biggs, of his wife Jean’s demeanor. “And she just keeps right on going.”Jean isn’t the only resilient cancer survivor in Warren County. Stacy Saak is being treated for cancer for a fourth time. She served at the Hero of Hope speaker to open Saturday’s event, which raised $47,672 for American Cancer Society’s research efforts.Saak said it’s the love from her support group, the Inspirations, and that of friends and family, that have kept her going.“I hope that you find an organization, family member or friend who will be by your side to battle, encourage and love you through it all,” said Saak. “Let’s keep fighting and never give up.”The evening kicked off with Nancy Butler performing “Wind Beneath My Wings,” a song made popular by Bette Midler. Several dozen survivors braved the heat to take a ceremonial lap around the track, afterward releasing balloons in unison.Survivors then joined their caretakers for another lap to signify the support they have received during their cancer journeys.Later in the evening the luminaria ceremony was held to honor those taken by cancer, currently battling or having overcome. The event concluded with a call for a cure.The goal for the event was $55,000. Event Coordinator Kate Bohn anticipates that last-minute donations will bring them to that goal.RELAY FOR LIFE
