Life shines through at relay

As the military color guard presented the colors, the National Anthem rang out, sung by Adele Morgan, and National Guard helicopters circled over the Wasilla High School track as the Mat-Su community kicked off the American Cancer Society’s 2012 Relay for Life in style.

It was a year that would make Relay For Life founder Dr. Gordy Klatt especially honored, as it was recently learned he is battling stomach cancer.

In the mid-1980s, Dr. Klatt wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society. He decided to personally raise money doing something he enjoyed — marathons. In May 1985, he walked a grueling 83 miles, circling a track in Tacoma, Wash., through the night (as cancer never sleeps) while patients and community members donated money to walk with him. Today, there are more than 5,000 Relay For Life events in more than 26 countries.

This year, more than 700 Mat-Su residents participated in the local event, raising more than $135,000 during an event that reminds each of us that cancer never sleeps, and that Relay For Life is a year-round process.

This year, Wasilla High School teacher Laurie Christiansen and her amazing committee organized the relay. They made sure there were events for everyone.

As of press time, Team Party-Lite, Curvettes and Team Butcher were the top teams. Leon Jernstrom was the top individual fundraiser. Military vet and cancer survivor Len Betts was named RFL iron man, walking close to 40 kilometers.

After the emotional Survivors Opening Lap, survivors were treated to dinner hosted by the Elks and given gift bags. Caregivers were recognized as the unsung heroes in this battle, joining in a lap where caregivers could honor those they may have lost, or join a loved one continuing the battle or who had beat the disease — the No. 1 cause of death in Alaska, the only state where heart disease is not the No. 1 cause of death. During the Fight Back Ceremony, Olivia Lundin, 9, was reminded that the $200 she raised would give local cancer patients rides to treatment, fund local support efforts or help pay for research tools

The event hopped with a teen dance, singing groups, bands, vocalists and instrumentalists. The WHS infield was filled with tents — 47 teams and their booths, filled with games/prizes, food and cancer-related items. The silent auction tent was bursting with baskets filled with every item imaginable! ASC-CAN/Advocacy had bling rings, and who will forget the “Chicken Song” at 4 a.m.?

At midnight, the Luminary Lap was a solemn time of remembrance of just why Mat-Su corporate sponsors/teams, families and individuals keep up the fight. It may just be summed up best by this poem written by cancer survivor LaDonna Westfall of Big Lake.

Amazing Grace

at Midnight

The music carried on the wind

As the lone bagpiper played

The melody was haunting

Touching every one that stayed

At midnight we were walking

A couple hundred I would say

Many strolling arm in arm

To feel, to think and pray

The Luminaries lined the track

So many names I know

Some survived, some had not

Their flickering lights aglow

We come together once a year

It’s called ‘Relay For Life’

We join together as one cause

To end the pain and strife

But something else will happen here

Not something you’d have guessed:

We’ve come through much to get here

And realize we have been blessed –

To know someone, or be someone

Who’s battled through the night

And to understand we’ve learned and grown

From taking on this fight.

So as we walked in silence

Through the Luminary lap

I’m thankful for another type

Of courage I can tap from.

The music carried on the wind

As the lone bagpiper played

The melody was haunting

Touching everyone that stayed.

Care Tuk is an 11-time cancer patient and advocate for cancer survivors and caregivers.