This year marks the 30th anniversary of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement, and the 18th year of the Relay For Life of Warren County. What started as one man’s vision to support …
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This year marks 30 years for cancer fundraiser
Posted
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement, and the 18th year of the Relay For Life of Warren County.What started as one man’s vision to support the society’s mission has evolved into the world’s largest and most impactful fundraising event to end cancer worldwide.This year, the Relay For Life of Warren County is one of 6,000 events in 24 countries (including the U.S.) across the world raising funds to finish the fight against cancer.In 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Wash., ran around a track by himself for 24 hours, raising $27,000 in support of the American Cancer Society. Thirty years later, the Relay For Life movement continues to be a community-based event where teams and individuals set up campsites at a school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path.Each team has at least one participant on the track at all times. Cancer survivors and caregivers take a celebratory first lap to start each event. The money raised supports groundbreaking cancer research, education and prevention programs, and critical services for people facing cancer.Over the last several decades, funds raised through the Relay For Life movement have assisted the society in its lifesaving work.Since 1997 when the National Cancer Information Center opened, the society has been able to assist with more than 16.8 million calls, 500,000 emails, and nearly 100,000 chats.Relay For Life of Warren County volunteer and 14-year kidney and 11-year brain cancer survivor, Stacey Saak, has directly benefited from one of the services the American Cancer Society provides. Saak was diagnosed with stage two renal cell carcinoma, or simply put, “kidney cancer,” when she was 31.“I remember I was very scared and didn’t know who or where to turn to for advice or support,” Saak said. “So I contacted the American Cancer Society to ask if there was any type of support group for cancer survivors. ACS told me about a group that met in Warrenton at the Fellowship Baptist Church and gave me Al and Jean Briggs’ phone number for more information.”Saak attended her first Inspirations support group meeting in September 2001, and she’s been attending every month ever since.“This group of survivors was such an inspiration to me and they kept me motivated with hope, even when I was re-diagnosed with stage four brain cancer just a few years later,” she said.Saak underwent brain surgery in August 2004, and then started a four-month immunotherapy treatment that ended in December 2004. She has been cancer-free ever since.Saak will share more of her story as the keynote speaker at the Relay For Life of Warren County Kickoff at 6 p.m. Monday, March 9, at First State Community Bank in Warrenton. It will be an ’80s themed party, in honor of the 30th anniversary of Relay, complete with food and drinks, ’80s music, and an ’80s costume contest. Leg warmers, acid-washed jeans and scrunchies are encouraged.The 18th annual Relay For Life of Warren County will host its “Totally Awesome ’80s” themed Relay from 1 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Black Hawk Middle School in Warrenton. For more information, visit relayforlife.org/warrencomo or contact Kanna Rook, American Cancer Society staff partner, at 636-866-4884 or kanna.rook@cancer.org.
Stacey Saak, left, and Bobbie Russell pose together during last year’s Relay For Life of Warren County. Saak is a 14-year kidney and 10-year brain cancer survivor. Submitted photo.
