Our View: Fight against cancer continues locally

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The ninth annual Relay for Life is this weekend in Hudson and this wonderful event gives everyone an opportunity to assist in the fight against this troublesome disease.

Despite its serious overtones, the Relay for the most part is a joyous event – a celebration of sorts. It is a time to celebrate with those who have had victories against cancer, encourage others who are in the fight and to educate others about the many different types of cancer and what help is available.

This year’s honorary chairs for the event are mother-daughter cancer survivors Jill and Nellie Huftel of Woodville; the Truhler family in memory of Grant Truhler, a Hudson student who died earlier this year; and caregiver and longtime relay volunteer Connie Fisk of Hudson.

The Huftel’s will lead the event’s survivor lap that officially opens this year’s relay at 6 p.m. All cancer survivors are encouraged to gather at Newton Field at 5 p.m. Friday for a reception, followed by the first lap in the all-night event.

The Truhler family will remember son and sibling Grant at the luminary ceremony at 10 p.m. on Friday, and Fisk will speak at the closing ceremony at noon June 21.

Another highlight is always the luminary ceremony to honor those who have died.

Also speaking at the luminary ceremony is Reuel Johnson, National Vice President Relay For Life Operations. His appearance is in recognition of the success of the event since it began in 2000. The Hudson relay has been among the top fundraisers nationally for its size.

Anyone interested in purchasing a luminary to honor the memory of someone who has died or to honor a survivor can do at any Hudson Associated Bank, County Market or at the Hudson office of Westconsin Credit Union. For more information contact Wotruba or Cathy Campbell at (715)386-8204.

The public is invited to attend anytime from the opening survivor’s lap until things wrap up at noon Saturday. To make the event even more exciting, of course, is the possibility of raising a substantial amount of money to use in the fight against cancer. If you have not yet contributed, someone will be willing and able to assist during the relay activities.

There are again many, many people who have worked very hard to make the Relay for Life a success.

Ar the top of the list is Chair Lori DeBoer and long-time volunteer Karen Humphrey. For more information on the Hudson Relay For Life go online at www.relayforlife.org. We encourage everyone to get involved in this event someway, somehow. The relay for Life is a shining example of community participation, community support and community love. It touches so many people in so many different ways – be a part of it!

Tags: opinion, hudson, relay_for_life, cancer