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Facing cancer — head on

Annual Relay for Life raised morale and funds for survivors

T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ SaturdayÕs annual Marshall County Relay for Life gathered around 45 cancer survivors, plus their friends, family and community supporters. Held at the Marshalltown High School track and Leonard Cole Field, the event offered special walks around the track, face painting, raffles, giant inflatables, Zumba, music, food, and fellowship. Pictured are cancer survivors participating in the ÒSurvivor LapÓ after the opening ceremony.

Few people today haven’t been impacted by cancer in some way or another. Giving hope to those people who battle the disease and those who care for them, is the mission of the 20th annual Marshall County Relay for Life, which took place Saturday evening at the Marshalltown High School track and Leonard Cole Field.

Cancer survivors, their caregivers, friends, family and community supporters were on hand to enjoy a time of fellowship, share stories, laugh, cry and face cancer head on.

“Death does not have the final word; love does,” said pastor John Witmer, who gave the opening prayer.

Local resident Marty Mitchell spoke on behalf of his late wife Sue, and her battle with cancer, which resulted in death in 2005.

“Your fight is not in vain; we see battles on TV and the internet every day, but your fight is at home,” he told those in attendance. “We don’t fight it alone, we fight it with fire, in our own beings.”

Chairperson Anna Vajgrt said she participates in this event each year for personal reasons. Her grandmother, Annie Ethington, passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2011.

“A lot of people involved with this have a personal connection,” she said.

So far this year, Marshall County Relay for Life has raised $50,000, which will benefit those locally fighting cancer, specifically, helping them cover the costs of lodging and transportation. In addition, money raised helps keep the 24-hour Cancer Support Line going.

Cindy and Bill Ormston, who recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, participated in the walk around the track. Cindy is a survivor of both urinary and breast cancers; Bill battled liver cancer.

“We praise the Lord we’re here today,” Cindy said. “We come to this to see people and share what we’ve all been through. You have to keep fighting.”

Bill, who spent years coaching boys’ track, said his colleagues and student athletes offered invaluable support after his cancer diagnosis in 2011.

“The support I got from the staff and the boys kept me going; they wouldn’t let me quit,” he said.

In addition to walks around the track, a variety of family-friendly activities were offered, including face painting, a raffle, giant inflatables, music and Zumba with Karen Gale-Hazen of Marshalltown Parks and Recreation. Food vendors were also on hand.

For more information, visit the Marshall County Relay for Life Facebook page, or contact Vajgrt at 641-751-1802.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at 641-753-6611 or sjordan@timesrepublican.com

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