Relay for Life honors with luminaries

Cancer’s story is told through the people it affects. That story uplifts when Kandiyohi County Relay for Life volunteers gather for their annual fundraising event at Willmar Middle School.
But cancer also reminds people of its terrible power when one year’s volunteers become next year’s victims. Those victims, as well as people currently fighting the disease or who have beaten it, are represented by luminaries, (small, white paper bags) that encompass the track.
A luminary can be defined as a light or as a person who inspires and leads others. The luminaries at Relay for Life signify both: at night, as people walk, a candle is lit, lighting up the names of people directly affected by the disease. People decorate the bags to commemorate their cancer-stricken loved ones.
“That’s kind of the cool thing about it, is that everyone can put their own special touch,” organizer MaryElin Macht said. “I love walking around the track, seeing all the luminaries and going, ‘Oh my gosh, each of these has a story.’ It’s pretty amazing.”
Each small bag costs a suggested $10, and more than 1,000 surrounded the track Friday night. All the money raised goes to the American Cancer Society.
Volunteers arrived around 8 a.m. Friday to fill luminary bags with sand and candles and place them around the track.
According to the event’s website, 25 teams raised more than $90,000 combined. The leading individual fundraiser was, according to the site, Vicki Drew, the 2014 event’s Honorary Survivor, who passed away in January. Kathy Eisenlohr, who has participated in Relay for Life for more than a decade, struggled to contain her emotions when Drew’s name was mentioned.
“This meant a lot to her, but we’ll keep trucking without her, do the best we can,” Eisenlohr said.
People gather to walk, to mourn and to remind themselves of cancer’s evil, but also to celebrate the funds they raised. Each team constructed a different booth, featuring events like horse rides and crazy hair designs. Those activities, along with live music provided by Custom Made Band, helped make the affair feel more like a festival than a funeral.