“We relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease,” said Kate Campbell, event chair. “Many of the relayers made a commitment to save lives by taking up the fight.”
This year’s theme was “Celebrate - Remember - Fight Back.” Celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost to the disease and fight back along side others battling cancer.
Awards were presented and the teams’ hard work was recognized at 3 a.m. The top adult team was #5 Roundn’ Up a Cure, which earned $8,060. Top adult fundraiser was Beth Linscomb with $2,175. The top young team was #20 Refugio National Honor Society with $1,223.60; and the top youth individual was Liz Hernandez with $195.
Golden level teams earning $5,000 included #1 Dave’s Divas; #5 Roundn’ Up a Cure; and #7 Peace Lutheran - Fishers of Men. The silver level team earning $3,000 was #12 Saddling Up For a Cure. Six earned $1,500 at the bronze level including #3 Digging for a Cure; #4 Big Kahuna’s; #6 The Hard Heads; #8 Community Cemetery; #9 Cross Out Cancer; and #11 Janie’s Jocks.
The Spirit of Relay Team award went to #7 Peace Lutheran - Fishers of Men; and Chase Linscomb was the winner of the Spirit of Relay Individual for spending hours preparing music for the relay, keeping the music and chatter going throughout the night.
The survivors dinner kicked off this year’s Relay at 5:30 p.m. in the Expo Center as approximately 140 survivors and their families arrived for a dinner of pork loin, salad, potatoes and green beans. During the dinner, Casey Fierova of Woodsboro sang country and western music. The dinner was organized by Betty Bauer, Carolyn Hughes, the Rev. John Alsbrooks, Lenny Anzaldua, David Newman and Patti Borglund.
Jennifer Perez-Lara, who was in charge of invitations, presented certificates to honorees Becky Witliff, Capt. Don Foxhall, Esther Govella and Helen Lamprecht.
The families of the victims of cancer were presented with certificates as well. Those memorialized include Atwood Rohan, Ethan Fricks, James and Shirley Baucum and Jo Ann Piehl.
Following the dinner, survivors made their way through a victory line of participants to a tent where Kenneth Wright, master of ceremonies, welcomed the honorees. As an honor guard from VFW Post 6290 consisting of Commander Ron Nelson, Art Loya and Roger Blaker presented the colors, Casey Fierova sang the National Anthem.
Cancer survivors, one by one, came to the microphone to tell their story of struggle and survival with the disease. Nancy Hillis, the American Cancer Society staff partner,read, “Every Candle Has a Name,” a poem by John “Sorey.
The survivors and participants lighted the luminaries and a sign proclaiming hope and the all-night relay began.
The survivors made the first lap around the track, as participants gathered around the track cheered.
The bidding ended in the silent auction at 10 p.m. for each of 22 team baskets. The baskets netted $8,000 for the Relay.
“Cecelia Bauer, who was in charge of handling the baskets, did a super job,” Campbell said.
While Relay teams walked the track outside, a host of entertainment got underwsay in the Expo Center. Beth Linscomb coordinated the activities. Melissa Hamilton’s dance students performed, a cake walk got underway, along with bowling, a scavenger hunt, and mock “prisoners” were taken to a mock “jail.”
Teams sold a variety of food to tempt any pallet, including beef stew, chili, hamburgers, menudo, pie, fajita and sausage wraps, funnel cakes and chicken salad sandwiches.
Midnight Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Philip Panackal of Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church and a midnight snack of sandwiches and chips was provided under the tent by Refugio Memorial Hospital.
At 12:45 a.m., Rebecca Esparza, the Relay’s Hero of Hope, conducted the Celebrate - Remember - Fight Back Ceremony. Rebecca, who has suffered a relapse, told her personal story of how she continues the fight and welcomed many others to the microphone to share their stories and sign a pledge to continue their fight to survive against cancer.
As the sun rose in the east, the Rev. John Alsbrooks of First United Methodist Church conducted a Sunrise Service.
“A most beautiful sunrise took place while Rev. Alsbrooks was speaking,” Campbell said, adding, “The eighth annual Joe Barber Memorial Relay for Life was a great success, thanks to the wonderful caring community of Refugio County. Many thanks to anyone who had anything to do with the Relay for Life. Let’s do it again next year!”
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