Relay for Life a community event
LIAM MCLEOD, 5, of Ronan, watches his put during Relay for Life at the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center on Friday, March 23. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
AMELIA LIES, 5, of Polson, takes her turn at a game at the Lake County Relay for Life Friday, March 23. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
PERSONALIZED LUMINARIES in memory of loved ones lost to cancer were placed in the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center in Pablo last week for Relay for Life. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
MORE THAN 200 people attended the annual Lake County Relay for Life in Pablo last week, supporting the cause for cancer research. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
The Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center was filled with children and music last week for the annual Lake County Relay for Life.
Eleven teams raised approximately $17,000 between fundraising and the event, according to Kris Holmes, community development manager with the American Cancer Society.
The teams will continue raising money through the year, she said.
Kicking off the night was a dinner in which 80 survivors and caretakers partook, leading the way to the community carnival in which more than 200 people participated.
In the center of the gym were hundreds of luminarias in remembrance of those who have battled cancer.
Having fun playing games at the community carnival was Amelia Lies of Polson, who attended the event with her family; mother Josie and siblings Cruz and Rosie.
Winning one of the games, Amelia chose a “slappy hand,” a gel-like mass in the shape of a hand that sticks to surfaces.
“We have some friends on the committee, so we came to support a good cause,” Josie said.
Friday marked the family’s first time attending Relay for Life’s community carnival.
“The kids are loving” the games, she said. “This is cool.”
On the other side of the gym was Liam McLeod, 5, of Ronan, and his mother Lesli Anderson.
Working up a sweat playing various games, “I love to play games!” the youth said after he took his hand at a miniature golf station.
Supporting the American Cancer Society’s cause, Anderson said the duo was visiting family working the event.
As of Monday morning, Holmes said that Team Bishop Insurance in Polson had raised nearly $3,300, with St. Luke coming in second with $2,700.
Top participant was Mark Nelson, bringing in $1,500.
Holmes said that anyone affected by cancer can call the cancer helpline at 1-800-227-2345.
The line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Sometimes people call at 2 a.m. if they wake up” in the middle of the night and need someone to talk to after a diagnosis, Holmes said.
Other times, people call to set up transportation to and from treatment.
Information for caregivers is also available through the helpline, she added, as well as visiting cancer.org.