For 20 years, the Callaway County Relay for Life has been celebrating cancer survivors, honoring caregivers and remembering the departed. Saturday afternoon, Relay kicked off its biggest event of the year at the Callaway Electrical Cooperative.
"We are here to honor cancer survivors," Leadership Committee member and emcee Sara Borcherding said during the opening ceremony. "Your job today is to celebrate life, our job it to provide music and activities. We are here to remember those we have lost, to honor the fighters and to celebrate their caregivers."
Caregivers, Borcherding said, are often forgotten when talking about cancer.
"Caregivers are often the unsung hero in the journey of a cancer patient," she said. "They help in so many ways, even ways they may not recognize. Anyone who provides support on a survivor's journey is a caregiver."
The track was lined with paper lanterns bearing the names of those who both won and lost their fight with cancer, Borcherding said. To keep the fight going, different companies sponsored Saturday's event, with one donating more than others.
"Dollar general was our Platinum Sponsor this year," Borcherding said. "They donated $2,500 this year. So far, our total raised is $35,521, which is fantastic. We couldn't have done that without our teams hitting the streets and raising thousand and thousands of dollars."
Dollar General Distribution Center Director Steve Gibson said he and his team give and participate not only because relay is fun, but because they feel it's the right thing to do.
"We like to give back to the community," he said. "Each distribution center gets involved with different events nationwide. But in our center especially, both the staff and the employees want to do their part."
At the boom of a bass drum from Fulton High School's drum corps, the relay got underway. The first lap was dedicated to survivors, 32 of whom boldly made their way around the track. The youngest among them was Chase Mealy, a nine year old boy.
As the survivor lap finished, the next lap consisted of caregivers. After they had their turn, the long relay began. During the 12-hour marathon, different booths provided different amenities, from refreshments to a silent action.
Survivor's Committee member Marion Heileman said she enjoys the community aspect of all relays.
"I just got back from Florida, where I did another relay," she said. "I walked in the door, and I was family. It didn't matter what I looked like, or who I was. Cancer doesn't just target one single race or nationality. We are all equal in the eyes of cancer, and we are all equal here."