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Poland Relay continues fight against cancer
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .The members of Team North, from North Elementary in Poland, gathered to celebrate New Year's Eve in their Relay tent. North teachers, students, siblings, and family members all were welcomed as part of their large Relay team.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .During the opening ceremonies for the Poland Relay for Life, Colleen McFarland (left) walked hand-in-hand with her mom, Edie Hardenburgh. McFarland said that she drove her mother to every appointment, for each round of chemo to fight Hardenburgh's breast cancer.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Three-year-old Jake Cracraft (front) was a bit young to take the long walk around the Poland High School track, so he rode in a wagon as his mom, Tammy Cracraft, pulled him along. Tammy Cracraft said that she walks for her grandparents and close friends she has seen suffer through cancer.
By SARAH FOOR
Since the Poland Relay for Life began in 2008, some things have changed and others have stayed constant.
The money the event raises for the American Cancer Society has changed every year since its first, starting at $13,000 in 2008 and exceeding $53,000 during this year’s celebration. Relay teams, survivors, and organizers can promise, however, that the support and warmth at the community event will continue to be the heart of the Relay for years to come.
Income development manager for the American Cancer Society, Francesca Kostek, said her passion for organizing comes from meeting volunteers and survivors.
“I’m inspired every day to honor the determination and passion of the people I meet through Relay for Life. There is not a person here who hasn’t had cancer touch the life of a friend or family member, and we’ll continue to help the Poland Relay grow each year to support both who we’ve lost and who has survived,” Kostek shared.
Poland’s Tent City showed each Relay team celebrating a different holiday. C & L Design Team celebrated the Fourth of July in their tent, and supported two-year breast cancer survivor Chrissy Gonzalez.
“This is my second year involved in the Relay. It’s an honor to be involved, and it’s a positive and fun event even though many of us are still fighting our disease,” Gonzalez shared.
Out at the Poland Seminary track, Relay guests spent much of Friday evening and Saturday morning circling the track to honor their loved ones.
Three-year-old Jake Cracraft walked with his mom, Tammy.
“We’re walking for my grandparents and a few close friends that we’ve lost,” Tammy Cracraft shared.
Colleen McFarland walked the track hand-in-hand with her mom, Edie Hardenburgh.
“This is our first Relay. I just finished six rounds of chemo for my breast cancer — my daughter drove me to every appointment and held my hand each time,” Hardenburgh said.
“Even when it’s hard, I want to be her unwavering support. That’s what fights this disease, I think — support, whether it’s between the two of us, or the entire Poland community,” McFarland shared.