Relay for Life a big success

by Sharlene Irete

R-C People Editor

About 500 people participated in the 2008 American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Lampe Park on Saturday and Sunday. Almost $97,000 was raised, according to Victoria Grathwohl, Douglas Relay for Life chair.

"It was a raging success " it was rocking," said Grathwohl. "People came up to me and said, 'If I'd known it was going to be like this, I would have come years ago.'"

Participants celebrated survivors during the survivors' dinner and remembered those who died from cancer during the luminaria ceremony. They contributed their time and money to fight cancer by donating to the American Cancer Society.

The all-night event featured games, a performance by the Controlled Burn fire dancers, movies and talent shows.

A Carson Valley couple got married in the park before Relay for Life. Cathy Newberg completed radiation therapy for breast cancer three weeks ago. Her fiance, Michael Keeney, had dreamed they got married at Relay for Life, and that's what they did.

Donations may still be made to help the Douglas chapter of Relay for Life reach their 2008 goal of $110,000. The teams have until the end of August to collect donations for the fiscal year. Donations may be made by going to Relay for Life online at www.events.cancer.org/douglas. Donations may be made to a particular team but all goes to the American Cancer Society.

Commemorative Relay for Life bears are on sale for $8 at The Record-Courier.

Information, 690-3746.

Left, survivors Paula and Jon Corley share their stories during the opening ceremony of Relay for Life. Paula has had three types of cancer and Jon was diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer four years ago.

Below, Michael Keeney and Cathy Newberg kiss after being married by Mark Lera at Lampe Park before Relay for Life on Saturday. Newberg was diagnosed in March and completed radiation for breast cancer three weeks ago. Keeney had a dream they got married at relay.