By Lori EhdeRock County’s third Relay for Life will be June 20 and 21, this year, in the Luverne City Park. There are 26 teams and roughly 400 walkers lined up for the event, which is the American Cancer Society’s premier fund-raiser for cancer research and programs to support cancer patients.Many of the team members find themselves walking in memory of those who died from cancer, or in honor of cancer survivors.Their stories are compelling.For example, Bonnie Johannsen participated in Rock County’s first Relay for Life as a cancer survivor on "Bonnie’s Buddies" team. Last year, she was receiving treatments and couldn’t participate with the team.This year, Johannsen’s friends and family on Bonnie's Buddies team will walk without her, in her memory.Adrian’s Tara Bullerman lost her battle with cancer at the age of 9. Her favorite color was purple and she liked angels. One of the last things she did was to use her hands and feet to make angels out of handprints and footprints for her family members.A print of these angels will be on the purple T-shirts worn by her team, "Tara’s Purple Angels."Main Street Financial has organized a team in honor of employee, Edna Brands, whose husband, Ed Brands, has cancer. Their story is compelling for the sheer dollar amount they’ve raised.By enlisting support from the investment companies they work with, they’ve raised $2,500 for the American Cancer Society. Representatives from Bell Capital will fly in from Atlanta, Ga., to participate in the Relay for Life event.Luminaries — small, paper bags with candles inside them — line the walk path at Relay for Life. The luminaries, decorated with names of cancer victims and cancer survivors, are lit at dusk in a special ceremony."This is a very moving ceremony," said Relay For Life Chairman, Vicki Baartman. "It reminds us why we’re here — to fight cancer, which touches so many lives."The public can purchase luminaries from any team member or from Vivian Holst at Minnegasco or Gerry Sandstede at Luverne City Hall.The local teams organized in March and so far have raised $19,000 for the cause.The first two years of Relay for Life saw $44,000 and $49,000 in funds raised. This year, Baartman said she hopes to see that much come in, but planners have lowered the goal amount."Realistically, with the economy the way it is, if corporate giving is down … or people might choose which charitable organizations to give to," Baartman said. "We thought it’s better to be conservative."While the bulk of the team fund-raising goes on before the Relay, the event itself offers plenty of opportunities for the public to participate and support the cause.Fund-raisers are planned throughout the evening on site, including concession stands, hair styling booths, massage treatments and more.The event starts 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, in the park with a dinner provided by Glen’s Food Center. The meal will be served until 6:30, and opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. with the Survivor’s Lap.Entertainment and special events are planned throughout the evening and through the night.A sunrise service and closing ceremonies will be at 6:30 a.m. followed by a breakfast provided by Tony’s Catering.See the June 19 Star Herald for more details. Baartman can be reached at 283-4119 to answer questions.
