By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
The purple ribbons tied around the Downtown Bowling Green lampposts are like strings tied around your finger; they are a reminder of the 2023 Wood County Relay for Life on Saturday, May 20 at the Wood County Fairgrounds.
A group of cancer survivors braved a recent chilly day to tie the ribbons as they prepare for this year’s American Cancer Society event. In addition to letting the public know about the event from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Pratt Pavilion at the fairgrounds, their message was more about hope. Each of the volunteers are not just survivors, but long-time survivors—of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and multiple myeloma.
Jeanne Wingate is a proud 20-year survivor of ovarian cancer who devotes time to the American Cancer Society as well as the Ovarian Cancer Connection. She has participated in many relays over the years and recalled the early relays that started in darkness and ended as the sun rose as a metaphor to the path of a cancer patient from the darkness of diagnosis and treatment to the rays of hope.
Though the format has changed from an 18-24 hour walk to the 12-hour activities-filled event, she pointed out that the goal is still the same: to honor and remember loved ones and take action for lifesaving change.
Sue Mannin beat breast cancer over 20 years ago. She shared a long list of family members on her and her husband Carl’s side who have battled cancer. Because cancer has impacted so many family members and friends as well as herself, Sue has become a stalwart volunteer and supporter of the American Cancer Society in Wood County.
As an advocate for the services and support available to local cancer patients and their caregivers, she actively shares the message of hope and positivity. “Cancer is not a death sentence,” she said. Treatment and early diagnoses have changed the outcomes for many people.”This is what we do. We are still here.”
She and Wonder Walkers’ teammate Cindy Rossow, who is a long-time multiple myeloma survivor, have participated in the relay for many years and are members of the local board. Like all the Relay for Life team captains and members, they spend the year planning for the event and raising funds.
Each team has the flexibility to raise funds and plan their own activities for the relay, yet “All teams come together for this major fundraiser,” Rossow said. To date, the 16 teams have raised more than half of the $82,000 goal.
In addition to team activities during the event, the highlights for this year’s event start with the emotional and uplifting Survivor Lap, where cancer survivors walk the first lap of the relay at 10 a.m. surrounded by family, friends and supporters. The second lap is dedicated to the caregivers, including friends, family members and healthcare providers. Other special laps include a “Project Runway” lap at noon featuring “wildest outfits” and a Poker Lap at 4 p.m.
As the sun sets at about 9 p.m., relay teams help light premade luminarias for the closing ceremony. The lighted luminarias are lit in honor or memory of a loved one. There is still time to dedicate a luminaria to a loved one.
Other activities during the relay include a vendor and craft show, bingo, a baskets raffle, adult Easter egg hunt (18 years and older), Kids Power Hour. With the help of Dave’s Running, this year’s relay will include a special Kids 1 Mile Fun Run at 7:30 and the 5K at 8 p.m.
Registration for the fun run and 5K ends May 18.
A complete schedule of events can be found here.
Wood County Hospital is the presenting sponsor again this year. “We are glad to be a part of it,” said Wood County Hospital President Stan Korducki. “The event raises funds for the incredible work the American Cancer Society does with patients and families as well as research. More significantly, it offers a chance for survivors and families to celebrate their success in overcoming cancer.”
“A cancer diagnosis can be very isolating and can feel very lonely,” said Dr. Dhaval Parikh, a radiation oncologist and medical director of the Maurer Family Cancer Care Center at Wood County Hospital.
“The Relay serves to remind us that that is far from the truth. The path becomes much more manageable when a team takes turns to share the burden,” Parikh said. “A successful cancer journey requires the help of family, friends, and the community. By working together, we can help these valiant patients achieve their goals.”
