By Lori EhdeThe 2005 version of Rock County’s Relay for Life is set for Friday night.The event is a trademark fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society, but it also serves as a celebration for those who have survived cancer and a memorial for those who died from cancer.In the case of Mike Van Der Brink, the event is also a cheerleading effort for those still battling the disease.Van Der Brink is the honorary chairman of this year’s Relay for Life, but there’s a chance he may not be there Friday night.On Monday, June 6, doctors at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, removed a volleyball-sized tumor from his abdomen. Tests showed that it was the same aggressive cancer he’d been diagnosed with 4 1/2 years ago. It’s called leiomyosarcoma, a cancer known for spreading quickly, and requires what Van Der Brink called "extreme chemo."In a June 2 Star Herald story, he described treatment back then as "a knock-down, drag-out battle" that he hoped he’d never have to do again.When Relay organizers asked him to be honorary chairman, Van Der Brink was only six months shy of being five years cancer free — a major milestone for long-term survival.According to his family members, Van Der Brink’s surgery Monday was nine hours long — twice as long as doctors anticipated — and it involved removing a portion of his colon and two portions of his small intestine.Because doctor’s can’t be sure they removed all of the cancerous tissue, Van Der Brink will need to have chemotherapy and possibly radiation treatments."I know Mike isn't looking forward to the chemo but he has a very strong faith and the will to survive, especially for Kellie and Kris," said Van Der Brink’s sister, Nancy Drenth.She said it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to attend Relay for Life activities in Luverne."I guess we will have to wait and see," Drenth said. "If there is any possible way for him to be there, he will be, I'm sure."Rock County event draws 21 teamsThe Relay for Life in Rock County event is open to the public and will be at the Luverne City Park on Friday, June 17, beginning with supper from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies will start at 7 p.m. with the survivors lap followed by all the teams starting their walk around the track. The overnight event will continue with activities, food, and various fund-raisers ending at dawn on Saturday, June 18, with closing ceremonies at about 6 a.m. This event is one of more than 3,500 Relay events in the country. The American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Rock County is in its fifth year of raising funds and awareness for cancer.The community has a five-year history of supporting the event through in-kind and monetary donations. 2001: $57,750.002002: $44,128.692003: $57,763.182004: $62,085.362005: $40,000 goalThis year, 21 Rock County teams are walking with a goal of raising $40,000 to help find a cure for cancer. Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s premier community outreach program, brings thousands of volunteers and millions of dollars into the organization, further increasing the ability to fight cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. The annual event involves teams of runners and walkers competing against each other to raise the most money.Teams of individuals representing corporations, hospitals, neighborhoods and families take turns on the track through the night with at least one team member on the track at a time.The event is most noted for its luminaries that glow in memory of individuals who have died from cancer or in honor of those who have survived cancer.For information, call co-chairs Nancy Kaczrowski, 283-2375, or Glenda Schomacker, 283-8886.
