Where tears and smiles collide

The 14th annual Lake County Relay for Life proved to hold every emotion

POLSON - Last Saturday, the Polson sports complex hosted a 12-hour birthday party, complete with cake, piñatas and birthday hats.

Party-goers brought noise makers and presents and the Happy Birthday song was played many times.

This year's theme for the Lake County Relay for Life was "Celebrate More Birthdays." It was the 14th year for the Relay to be held in Lake County, held to raise spirits, awareness and funds to fight cancer through American Cancer Society research, education, advocacy and patient and family services.

The event started out with a ceremonial lap around the track.

Usually, a lap around a track means one lap closer to the end of a work out.

Not this one.

This first lap around the track means one step closer to a cure. It is a lap of sincere celebration, reserved for cancer survivors to celebrate their victory over cancer. Smiles, tears and laughter combined for the emotional lap.

Shannon Nunlist and Nancy Teggeman, both of Polson, walked both as survivors and teammates on the Methodist Church and Cheerful Hearts team.

In 1989, Teggeman discovered a black mole on her left shoulder. Her doctor removed it for tests, which led to a Class 5 melanoma cancer diagnosis.

"They told me to get my affairs in order," she said.

The news came around Christmas and Teggeman was in the Seattle-area at the time with her husband. Knowing the outlook might be bleak, Teggeman dragged her husband to the beach. Hiking three miles to set up camp, the pair stayed for four days before heading back.

"It was wet and cold," Teggeman said. "I was in heavy wool sweaters, gloves, hats. It helped me. We saw three deer down by the beach. I took it as a sign and I'm still here."

When she went in for surgery, doctors discovered the cancer hadn't spread to her lymph nodes. Teggeman took her first survivors lap in 1996.

"It was emotional," she said.

After the survivor's lap, family and friends were encouraged to join the survivors in a second lap. Many linked arms to walk around the track as more tears and smiles were shared. Nunlist was joined by her daughter and husband as she took the second lap with her head held high.

"I'm inspired by friends and clients that have been battling cancer," she said. "It's nice to do something different to give cancer a kick."

Seven members of the Methodist Church and Cheerful Hearts team had battled cancer and represented many more from the church and community that had been affected by the disease.

Each team is encouraged to dress in costumes relating to the theme as part of many contests that occur through out the 12-hour event.

Wayne Fuchs was the emcee for the event and was in charge of the music for the entire time.

With his background in radio, Fuchs was glad to be able to help out with the event.

"I try to keep the energy up," he, who has been a part of 11 Relays, said. "We've had rain and sun. What impresses me is that these people don't quit."

Last year, rain down poured during the night and teams continued to walk. One rule of the event is that at least one member from each team has to be walking on the track at all times.

"The rain didn't stop them," he said.

This year, the dark clouds passed without rain and the lumineria went on, after a minor mishap.

"Someone just forgot to grab the bags," Survivor reception chairperson Etta Moore said.

When all was sorted out, bagpipes were played as each bag's name was read aloud.

Tears and laughter combined again during the lumineria, Teggeman said.

"People are remembering relatives and friends," she said. "It's a great thing."

Walking by a bag with her name on it, Teggeman said she felt a sense of gratitude.

"I'm not the only one who has fought [cancer] and I'm not the last," she said. "It gives you a feeling of support."

Teggeman and others will continue to support the fight against a disease that, for better or worse, has affected their lives.

"I think its a great cause," Teggeman said. "It's very touching. It makes you realize how precious life is."