Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com
Published - Wednesday, May 28, 2008
10th Relay for Life is June 13-14
The American Cancer Society will be celebrating life at the 10th Annual Relay for Life in Tomah on June 13-14, as well as the event’s anniversary.
The Relay for Life will be held at the Tomah High School track. Heidi Ueeck, co-chair of the event, said that those who want to participate in the event can join a team or start one. A team meeting will be held at PiZones on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Relay for Life is an overnight event designed to help spread awareness of cancer prevention, share survivor stories and raise money for cancer research. Relay For Life is the world’s largest fundraising walk.
Ueeck is a 15-year cancer survivor. She said that this year’s event will focus on cancer survivors. The event’s honorary chair, Betty Roscovius, is an 11-year cancer survivor. Roscovius will make a keynote speech during the event, and there will be a survivor’s lap on the track, as well as a fly-over by local pilots.
“We are going to be focusing on survivors,” Ueeck said. “Each of us has a story to tell about cancer and each of us finds inspiration in stories of survivors who have fought cancer and won.”
Ueeck also said that tribute will be paid to the care givers as well. She, along with Roscovius, said that care givers are an essential part of the cancer treatment process.
See Relay for Life, page 3A
“It’s not only about the survivor, but the care givers, too,” Ueeck said. “It takes that whole support group. It would be tough to get through it otherwise.”
Festivities will begin around 4 p.m. on June 13, with the relay beginning between 5 and 6 p.m., Ueeck said. Food will be available, and there will be ceremonies throughout.
“It is amazing to see a huge group of survivors,” Ueeck said. “It is an emotional time. It is fabulous to see.”
All stories copyright 2006 Tomah Journal and other attributed sources.