Relay for Life fund-raiser exceeds all expectations

By Earlene Ward - Special for the Sierra Star

 

—      George Sitts

Balloons are released by cancer survivors to mark the official beginning of last weekend’s Relay for Life. Carrying the banner are Mitchell Freisen, Lynette Shrank and Billie Millard. The event raised more than $107,000 dollars for cancer research.

 

This year's Eastern Madera County Relay for Life surpassed all expectations. Co-chairs Gail Gilbert and Janice Ellis had set a goal of $100,000; when the final tally was announced Sunday morning at the end of the event, it was $107,254.

Several hundred people on 24 teams walked or jogged the track at Yosemite High School for 24 hours, from 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18, until 9 a.m. Sunday, May 19. Those who walked through the night had their path lighted by more than 3,000 luminaria burning in honor of cancer survivors or in memory of those who had lost their battle with the disease.

Local businesses, schools, churches, service clubs and families formed teams to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Medical professionals were available throughout the day Saturday to answer questions about cancer and related topics.

 

Lutheran team is tops

Teams and individuals also competed to see who raised the most money. The winning team was Oakhurst Lutheran Church with $12,374; second was Miles for Mitchell - EV Free Church, $10,680.02; third, Oakhurst Chevron, $9,135; fourth, Our Lady of the Sierra Catholic Church and St. Joseph of the Sierra Catholic Church, $7,707.12; fifth, Sierra Tel Communications Group, $7,192 and sixth, Oakhurst Rotary Clubs, $5,092.

Individual winners were: first, Les Pacheco, $9,135; second, Jay Schrank, $1,504 and third, Billie Millard, $1,220.

Special recognition was given to the 109 cancer survivors who participated throughout the day. The survivors led the event’s first lap Saturday morning and the last lap Sunday morning. Survivors ranged from 5 1/2 months to 40 years of survival.

Keynote speaker during the luminaria ceremony was Kaylene Friesen, mother of Mitchell Friesen, a 9-year-old cancer survivor. She told the family’s story, relating how they had first participated in Relay for Life last year, never imagining that within a few months their son would be diagnosed with cancer and would be there this year as a survivor.

Life was busy and life was good a year ago for the Friesen family, she said; this year, after the months of Mitchell's treatment, she says life is busy and life is good.

 

                             Relay for Life to find a cure for cancer                

— Sierra Star Photos/Lacey Rees

Glowing luminaries spell out the word “cure” on the Yosemite High bleachers during the evening and night hours of the Mountain Area Relay for Life.

Mark Little of the Fresno Stag and Thistle Pipe Band slowly marches around the Yosemite High track playing “Amazing Grace” as the names of local cancer victims are read at the Relay for Life event.


With banner holders, Mitchell Freisen, Lynette Shrank and Billie Millard leading, cancer survivors and members of relay teams take a first turn around the Yosemite High track on Saturday morning.


Cheerleaders help lead the audience in a cheer Saturday morning. Shown are Krystal Brock, 10; Kathy Anderson, Jeannie Habben, and Laura Darling.


Christina McBride, a registered walker during the Relay for Life, pushes her granddaughter Angelina McBride.


Paper bags housing candles, in honor or in memory of cancer patients, line the YHS track. Eventually 3,000 bags were placed around the track, which became luminaries at dusk and gave an impressive light show as darkness fell.


Cancer survivors hold balloons during opening ceremonies of Relay for Life held last weekend. They later released the balloons signaling the beginning of the 24-hour relay.