Relay organizers expect to reach goal

Organizers of this year's Relay for Life of Phelps County are only about $1,565 away from reaching their fundraising goal this year.

Bryan Thompson, chair of the 2012 countywide Relay event, said as of Monday afternoon, a total of $68,435 had been raised. This year's fundraising goal was $70,000.

“We're almost there and we have another 10 days to reach our goal,” Thompson said. “We think we're going make it.”

This year's Relay, which was held Saturday from noon to midnight at Lions Club Park in Rolla, went smoothly, according to Thompson.

“We couldn't have asked for a better day,” he said. “Everything was just great.”

A total of 25 teams registered and there were 307 participants for this year's Relay for Life. At the dinner for survivors and caregivers, Thompson counted a total of 133 people. Lee's Chicken and Phelps County Regional Medical Center Hospital sponsored the dinner.

During the first opening ceremony, Thompson and Amy Luebbert, team development chair, spoke about why Relays are held.

“The money raised will support patient services, prevention education, advocacy efforts and lifesaving research and that's why we Relay,” Luebbert said. “We celebrate those survivors here in purple shirts, we remember those who've lost their battle with cancer and we do everything we can as a community to fight back to bring us closer to a cure for cancer.”

Thompson said Relay for Life, the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society (ACS), is the official sponsor of more birthdays, as research has helped extend the lives of cancer survivors.

Thompson and Luebbert noted several developments in the fight against cancer over the last year, including new drugs available and two additional ACS-funded researchers who received the Nobel Prize for their work.

Luebbert also said in the state of Missouri, the ACS funded $10.9 million in cancer research grants this past year.

Thompson noted that patients in the community are benefitting in several ways from Relays by receiving nutritional supplements, wigs and support through programs such as Look Good, Feel Better and Reach to Recovery.

A luminaria ceremony also was held, in which luminaria bags with lighted candles were placed around the park. The luminaria bags were made in memory of cancer victims and to honor cancer survivors. Thompson said there were about 725 luminarias this year.

Sydney Stoltz, the 4-year-old daughter of Bill and Mary Helen Stoltz, served as the honorary torch bearer during Relay. Stoltz was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 2 years old. This is the first year an honorary torch bearer was named.

Cancer survivors along with their caregivers walked the track at Lions Club Park while family and friends along with many in the community stood along the track to support them.

There were also several live concerts and activities for all ages at the 2012 Relay.

The theme for the Phelps County Relay was Pink and Purple Safari. The overall theme of Relay for Life is Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

Thompson thanked all of the sponsors, teams, participants and the public for attending Relay. He noted that after a preview article about the event was published in the Rolla Daily News, the amount of donations rose quickly.

Donations will still be accepted for this year's Relay through Aug. 31. If you would still like to donate, you may contact Thompson at 573-647-5301 or donate online at http://relayforlife.org/phelpscomo/