Cancer doesn’t discriminate.
Tears and smiles were all part of the 2015 Shawano-Menominee American Cancer Society Relay for Life at the Shawano Community High School gym Saturday. There were colorful team tables, music, basket raffles, games and food.
Event co-chair Jenny Mailahn said the group raised more than $42,000 and hopes to reach its goal of $46,000 with funds still coming in from sponsors and concessions.
“The money raised at this year’s event will continue to help in finishing the fight against cancer,“ she said.
Guest speaker Millaine Wells, a reporter at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, gave an emotion-filled speech about her husband, Greg, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2012.
“I was born to be a caretaker,” Wells said. “Cancer has been a big part of my life.”
Her husband was not at the relay as he was getting ready for spring farm work. They were only married four months before his diagnosis. She said they talked extensively about their faith during his treatment, which included chemo. He was a Mountain Dew drinker but now won’t drink it because it tastes too much like the chemo, she said.
After a scan last month, he is in remission.
“The pain is real. The suffering is real. The hope is also real,” Wells said.
Hope was reflected in the eyes and comments of many of the relay participants.
Peggy and Jerry Buchholz, of Bonduel, were part of Team Faith. Jerry couldn’t help but get tears in his eyes talking about when Peggy, a teacher at St. Paul School in Bonduel, was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago.
Rosetta Stern, of Shawano, said she always goes to the relay. In 1997, Stern, 86, had colon cancer. She had surgery and then chemotherapy for several years to keep the cancer in check. In 2005 she had breast cancer that was treated with radiation. Stern said her faith helped her through.
“I prayed a lot,” she said. “I’ve been great since then. Cancer is more widespread than I ever thought. It’s amazing how much more they can do for you now.”
The relay began as the Shawano AMVETS Post 10 presented the colors. Peyton Buerman, 13, a sixth-grader from Shawano Community Middle School, sang the national anthem.
The relay also featured games, exercise, bucket raffles and food. Gary Huebner of Audio Axentz DJ Service provided the music.
Mailahn was pleased with the relay.
“Overall the relay was a great success,” she said. “It is so amazing to see the members of our community, young and old, coming together to show their support for a great cause. Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered and supported this year’s relay.”
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