Relay For Life closes in on $100,000 mark

The Douglas County community has done it again. This year's Relay for Life at Lampe Park on July 24 and 25 brought in close to $100,000 that is going to fund cancer research and provide patient support. This is truly incredible, in light of the economy, but not surprising, given the passion, camaraderie, strength, and commitment of the people of Douglas County. As this year's event chair I'd like to send out a huge thanks to all the amazing volunteers, participants, and sponsors that made this year's event such a success.

To all the devoted committee members and team: Anna Bishow, Stacey Ziglar, Debbie McFadden, Natalie Shattuck, Casey Braun, Craig Ziglar, Tannis Causey, Michael Keeney, Victoria Joncas, Lynn Williams, Victoria Grathwohl, Kathy Shoemaker, Linda Fields, Chris Beard, Alex Dolan, Bonnie Koster, Rachel Lampkin, Joy McFadden, Jon Corley and Paula Corley with special thanks to American Cancer Society Community Relationship Manager Misti Kimball.

To all of our hard-working team captains: Victoria Grathwohl, Tammy Dunn, Karen Creel, Judy Atkinson, Les Vido, Kim Boles, Autum Resney, Ryan Stafford, Sharon Beller, Lauren Cumings, Lisa Lynch, Bonnie Koster, Cy Ball, Jeanine Hamilton, Maria Wittern, Paula Corley, Jackie Saul, Casey Braun, Cari Craighead, Juliana Baharudin, Carol Mann, Lori Salvador, Angela Campagna, Audrey Head, Jim Wright, Ruth Page, Daisy Morgan, Erin Davidson, Christina Rodriguez, Heleyna Traquina, Kathy Phillips, Jimmy Mickler, Leona Justinich, Stephanie Rutherdale, Stacey Ziglar, Victoria Joncas, Therese Abraham-Noble, Tammy Beltran, Shirley Hanson, Zach McFadden, Jenn Wing, Kelly Shaw, Kristi Koury, Roberta Williams, Jacqueline Vela, Brittney Kashuba, Kathy Shoemaker, Jonel Neddenriep, Belinda Hubkey, Rachel Lampkin, Debbie McFadden, Carol Buedel, Kurtis Broderson, Matt Brown, and Mariah Memro.

To all our sponsors: GE Energy, Douglas County Parks & Recreation, Scolari's, JCP Enterprises, Tahoe Ridge Winery, Walmart, The Record-Courier, Starbucks, Corley Ranch, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Maddi's Friesian Ranch, Rancho Grande, Saletti's, Topaz Lodge & Casino, Tumblewind Antiques & Collectibles, Carson Valley Medical Center, Carson Tahoe Cancer Resource Center, Country Financial, Minden Emergent Care/Physician Select Management, Raley's, Re-Max Realty Affiliates, Wells Fargo, Christensen Automotive, Century 21 Clark Properties, Tahoe Fracture & Orthopedic, Carson Valley Vet Hospital- Bark for Life, Crystal Ice, Oro Wheat, Pepsi, and Sportsmans Warehouse.

To our survivor dinner sponsors: A Wildflower, Buona Sera Ristorante, Cafe Girasole, Causey Family, Lira's Market, Local's BBQ, Russell's Mercantile, Port of Subs, Scolari's, Smith's, and Topaz Landing Resort.

To our breakfast sponsors: St. Gall Knights of Columbus, Valley Golf Shop and the Louie family, Coffee on Main, and Model Dairy.

A special thanks to 7-Up Bottling Co., Carson Valley 20-30 Club, 37 Enterprises, Ahern Rentals, Aramark, Bing Materials, Barton Memorial Hospital, Birds Landing Sport Clays, Capitol City Gun Club, Carson Valley Arts Council, Carson Valley Sertoma Club, Casino Fandango, Chris McKewin, Coca Cola Bottling Co., Crown Beverage, Curves, Dan Kimm, Daniel T. Robertson M.D., Doug Reynolds, Douglas Alpine Thrivent for Lutherans, Douglas Disposal, Dr. Miner, DVM Construction, East Fork Fire District, Empire Ranch Golf Club, Flannigan's Merchandising Inc., Forbes, Frito Lay, Genoa Lakes Gold Club & Resort, Harrah's, Iron Horse Cantina, Jeanne Robinson- Breathe Fitness, Jesse's Hairport, Johnny's Roadhouse Grill, Keva Juice, Les Schwab Tires in Gardnerville, Lisa Thomas, Lone Tree Gallery, Renea Louie, Mary Biaggini, Mont Bleu Casino Resort, Nev/Cal Porta-Potties, Quizno's, Northwest Martial Arts, Officer Chris Griffith and the Explorer's Color Guard, Papa Murphy's Pizza, Pastor Rich Lammey- High Sierra Fellowship, Pepsi Cola Bottling, Perdiz Sports Shooting, Raquel Diedrichsen, Reflections Salon, Rite of Passage, Roxanne Stangle, Sapphire Wizard Arts, Scheels Sports, Sharkey's Casino, Silver Oaks Golf Club, Silver Strike Lanes, Mr. Steve Stratton, Target, Ted Nagel, Tahoe Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, The Entertainer, Topaz Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Topaz Landing, Topaz Sage Hens, Two Guys from Italy, Unity Church- Larry Schneider, Walker River Resort, West Coast Martial Arts, Dave Brady, Brian Peck, "Bootleggers", Lisa Thomas, "D.J.C.Z." and Boy Scout Troop No. 340

Our deepest gratitude and respect goes out to all the survivors and caregivers who model the courage and ability necessary to deal with adversity. You are the heart of relay.

Thanks, once again, to this amazing Douglas County community of volunteers who, in spite of these difficult economic times, once again pulled together to work towards a cause that is near and dear to all - finding a cure for cancer.

See you next year.

Douglas County's Relay for Life organizer Katrina Rowe is a Gardnerville resident.