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Drawing a circle around cancer |
Annual Newberg's Relay for Life, one of more than
4,800 in the United States, raises more than $10,000 |
By Amanda
Newman, Newberg Graphic intern
E-mail Amanda at
anewman@eaglenewspapers.com
|
Those gathered at the Newberg High School track last weekend, clad
in an assortment of colorful T-shirts, were cheerful and upbeat,
despite the sobering force that brought them together — cancer.
Forty-three teams of 8 to 15 people circled the track for 20 hours,
from 6 p.m. Friday to 2 p.m. Saturday, in Newberg’s fifth annual
Relay for Life.
The relay, which raised more than $100,000 according to Newberg
Relay for Life Committee cochairperson Cindy McCracken, was one of
more than 4,800 American Cancer Society-sponsored relays held
nationwide.
“(This
relay) was bigger and better,” McCracken said, comparing to previous
Newberg events. “More teams, more survivors, more money raised, more
enthusiasm.”
Following the opening ceremonies Friday evening, cancer survivors
took the track for the first event, the Survivor’s Lap. Participants
then began the relay, which featured at least one person from each
team circling the track at all times during the event, usually in
one-hour shifts.
Entertainment throughout the event included performances by Myron
LeRoy and Chuck Ricks. A silent auction was held in NHS’ McGrath
Gymnasium during the relay. Coyote Joe’s Coffee Company serviced the
event, remaining open to participants throughout the night.
Participants were provided with three meals, including a pancake
breakfast presented by the Knights of Columbus. Jem 100 Ice Cream
Saloon hosted an ice cream social Saturday afternoon. Other Relay
events included a relay race and the Luminaria Ceremony, a Relay for
Life staple.
Luminarias, paper sacks filled with sand and a candle, were
available for purchase through Friday evening. Dedicated to the
memory of a cancer victim or in honor of a survivor, the lanterns
lined the track. In the Friday evening ceremony, walking
stopped as the name on each bag was read and a moment of silence was
observed.
The relay concluded Saturday with the announcement of award winners
and a final lap around the track for all participants.
Kenneth Haworth, a Friendsview Retirement Community resident, wore
the purple shirt of a survivor. A two-time cancer survivor, Haworth
was diagnosed with melanoma in 1976 and given a 30 percent chance of
surviving five years.
About a year ago, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and
underwent hormone and radiation therapy. Haworth expressed
conviction in the importance of the relay, saying, “(People) get
involved, and involvement usually ends up in more money for
research.”
Finishing up his third year of relay participation, the survivor
said, “It gets better every year.”
Ken Payne wore the orange shirt of a team captain. Although Payne
had previously participated in the Relay for Life, this was his
first year with the Freeman Manufacturing team. Jenny Payne,
accompanying Ken in the white shirt of a team member, was a
first-year participant.
Ken Payne said he walked to “give something back.” “Cancer is a
very devastating disease that attacks all of us,” he continued.
“There are friends I’ve lost (to cancer).”
Blue-shirted committee members, including McCracken and Tom
Vondrachek, milled around the field, answering questions and
offering assistance.
McCracken said she and Vondrachek, her committee cochairperson, have both
had personal ties to cancer. Vondrachek lost both parents to cancer
and his brother and sister are cancer survivors. McCracken, a
survivor herself, was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer five
years ago and has participated in the relay since.
“We’ve both become pretty passionate about (the relay),” McCracken
said. “Everyone has been touched by cancer. It seems to be a
universal concern, wish and dream for more people to have positive
outcomes (to cancer). We need to continue to fuel the resources.”
McCracken explained that each year, more teams get involved in
Newberg’s relay. This year’s teams included the first Hispanic team,
“Los Angeles de Emilene.” Another first-time participator was George
Fox University, represented by two teams.
The Relay for Life began in Tacoma, Wash., in the mid-1980s,
becoming an annual national fund-raising event to benefit the
American Cancer Society. Funds raised at the Newberg relay directly
benefit Yamhill County programs and services.
“I think we’re living in a very exciting time, in that a lot of
breakthroughs are happening in cancer research,” McCracken said.
“It’s inspiring to feel that there’s a large group of people in our
town that really care.” |
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From
June 27, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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