Community steps up for cancer relay
Even in an uncertain economic climate, Whitefish's chapter of Relay for Life is aiming high.
The American Cancer Society's local awareness and fundraising group is shooting to hit the $35,000 mark at this year's walkathon, slated for June 18-19 at Whitefish High School, which is about $5,000 more than last year's goal.
Relay committee director Michelle Howke said that despite some early struggles, she's confident the community will step up to help reach the elevated mark.
"We're having some problems with sponsorships this year. Everybody is down in this economy," Howke said. "We thought we'd get hard hit last year, but I think we're getting hard hit this year.
"But, right now, I'm going around asking businesses for incentive gifts, and a lot are stepping up to the plate on that. It's nice to see. We have a great town."
Leading the pack in online fundraising efforts is a team from the Whitefish Fire Department, which has garnered more than $3,000 in Web site donations as of press time. Not far behind is Park Side Federal Credit Union and North Valley Hospital.
In all, 18 local teams are jostling for title of top fundraiser, including groups from Whitefish High School, Whitefish Lake Golf Shop, Sportsman & Ski Haus, Stumptown Quilters Society, Stumptown Cancer Stompers, Flathead Valley Community College, First Interstate Bank, Glacier Bank and others.
While raising the most money possible for cancer research is the ultimate goal, the Relay for Life walkathon is also a celebration honoring those who have survived cancer and those who have died due to the disease.
"We're fundraising all year," Howke said. "The Relay for Life is a celebration of what we've done. 'Celebrate, remember and fight back,' that's the motto."
The event kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. at the high school track and goes until 8 a.m. Saturday. Teams will have at least one member walking on the track at all hours of the night, and some individual fundraisers will walk the entire night on their own accord, tallying upward of 30 miles.
While fundraising walkers circle the track, the infield is bustling with activities, food and music. A 'survivor lap" is scheduled for early in the evening, which is a peak of the celebratory atmosphere.
Luminaries will be lit and placed along the track at 10 p.m. This is a somber time during the relay when participants take a moment to remember friends and family who have died from cancer.
"Everybody has been touched by cancer, someway, somehow," Howke said. "If you don't think you've been touched by cancer, come down to the event, you'll know somebody's name being called off during the luminary or you'll know a survivor."
Money raised at the event goes to the American Cancer Society and is used locally. Portions go to area cancer resource centers, Road to Recovery, and Look Good, Feel Good.
In 2009, the chapters from Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Kalispell and Bigfork combined to raised a total of $166,408.
To find out more about participating in Relay for Life or to volunteer, call Michelle Howke at 261-7942, or visit online at whitefishrelay.com.