Relay for Life raises $85,000 for cancer research
July 17, 2008
By Laura Geggel
More than 270 community members showed their fundraising prowess and solidarity at the Snoqualmie Valley Relay for Life July 12-13.
Fundraisers have until Aug. 31 to reach their goal of $130,000, but as of July 14, participants had raised about $85,000.
Denise DuBose, co-chair of the event, said the ceremony went “wonderfully,” from the survivor’s lap to the lighting of the luminaries.
About 30 cancer survivors walked Centennial Fields for the survivor’s lap.
“It always leaves a lump in my throat,” DuBose said.
Volunteer Anne Loring grouped the survivors into categories for how many years they had each been diagnosed with cancer.
“She had all of the people who were first years and undergoing treatment look back at the other survivors and see all of the progress that has been made – this is what they have to look forward to,” said DuBose.
Youth Chair Marika Loudenback arranged a “Got Hair” event with the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program, encouraging people to cut off at least eight inches of their hair and donate it to wigs for cancer patients. Deborah Martz of Rachel’s Salon in North Bend donated her haircutting expertise – cutting 11 ponytails, almost enough for two wigs.
The Relay even had a song composed for its luminaria ceremony, when candles in paper bags are lit, each in memory of a cancer victim or in honor of a cancer survivor. The luminaries ringed the walk, while Relay participants sang along with Steve Mason of connectionsongs.com, who wrote a song and broadcast the lyrics on a screen.
Mason wasn’t the only performer. A group of girls competed for the title of ‘Miss Relay’ by seeing who could raise the most money in an hour. The winner, 4-year-old Kylie Warren, helped collect $300 of about $600 raised by all of the contestants.
Sue Beauvais, who has participated in Relay since 2002, included about 75 luminaries from youth at Echo Glen, the state’s juvenile detention center.
“We wanted to have the kids decorate luminaries of people they had lost in their lives,” said Beauvais. “We put them on a special spot on the field so that they could feel connected to our Relay without being there.”
Echo Glen will have its own a mini-Relay Aug. 12.
North Bend resident Kylie Aberle, who will be in the eighth grade at Forest Ridge this fall, has also participated in Relay for Life since 2002. Aberle was born with neuroblastoma and received treatment in the form of surgery and chemotherapy as a child. Now, she returns to Children’s Hospital once a year for blood tests.
“I like raising money for the cause and helping others that didn’t get the same opportunity as I did,” Aberle said.
Her friend Taylor Dumas and their team raised about $3,000 by holding dog and car washes, garage and bake sales and by raising money through the Penny Harvest at Snoqualmie Middle School.
“The best part of Relay was the luminaria ceremony,” said Dumas. “We lit the track with all of the names of people who were either honored or in memory from living with cancer.”
Among the people who Dumas honored were her mother, uncle, neighbor and her inspirational friend, Kylie Aberle.
Reporter Laura Geggel can be reached at 392-6434 x221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.
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