Relay for Life moo-ving for a cure

The Washington American Cancer Society (ACS) held its annual Relay for Life event at the Washington County Fairgrounds over the weekend. By the end of the day, organizers said they had raised over $39,000.

“We’ve gathered here today because of cancer, it is something we simply can’t ignore,” Washington ACS Community Manager Denise Conrad said. “But we have an advantage over cancer because of the generosity of people like you. And together we can make the greatest impact to save lives.”

Conrad said turnout at the event was less than expected by midafternoon, but still respectable.

“It’s less, but good for the pandemic and with people in the field, it’s good,” she said.

Gene Davis, who oversaw a lap-tracking booth for event’s titular relay, said the event was hugely personal to her.

“I lost my sister, I lost my dad, and I just recently lost my brother to cancer,” she said. “It’s always meant something to me … if there’s a way to beat it, we’ve got to do it.”

With the event held in the fairgrounds instead of downtown, it looked a little different from years prior. Those participating in the relay walked laps around the cattle barn, thus the year’s theme: “Moo-ving for a cure.”

Jan Miller, an ACS committee member and event organizer, said funds raised at the event went both toward the short term needs of cancer patients and the long term fight for a cure.

“We had one girl that used it who passed after two weeks, and there would’ve been no way that (she) could have paid for it, or even had the money to even stay anywhere. That’s what’s so meaningful,” she said. “They break it down, exactly where the money is going, it’s not just some big bank where you lose track of what it’s going to, that’s one reason I’m on the team.”

One highlight of the day was a dessert auction, where some items were highly sought after: A massive macaron tower sold for $400 after a lengthy bidding war. The last cherry pie on the auction block sold to Abe Miller for $190.

“The pie is not the important thing, although it is good, the money is what’s important,” Miller said.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com