COLUMBUS — Survivors had a reason to celebrate as they walked the opening lap of the Platte County Relay For Life.
They were being recognized for their courage and fight against cancer. Dozens of people who won the battle against the disease were given purple T-shirts and asked to kick off the awareness-raising event Friday night by taking the first lap around the track at Lakeview High School.
Survivors, caregivers and others were welcomed to take part the 12-hour event. The evening was spent remembering those who have passed due to cancer, as well as provide hope to those who are undergoing treatment or have survived the disease.
Teams made up of families, friends and co-workers stayed at the event overnight, and team members were to walk around the track. The continuous walking represents the constant battle cancer patients go through.
The teams also raised funds for the event. This year the 45 teams collected $176,723, which was about $24,000 short of the goal.
Despite not reaching the goal, organizers were happy with the turn out.
"Everybody is together here for the same reason," said Heidi Kleavemann, a committee member.
Like many people there, Kleavemann has had multiple people in her family stricken with cancer. Her father-in-law in a cancer survivor, and her dad died eight years ago from the disease.
The event brings up strong emotions in the participants, especially during the lighting of the luminarias. The luminarias are placed around the track and in the bleachers. Each bag represents a person who has been touched by cancer. At dusk, the luminarias are lit.
Melody Boydston, of Creston, had been to several Relay events, but not to the one in Platte County. She was at the event for herself and in memory of her mother and brother.
Boydston is a 19-year ovarian cancer survivor. Her mom died of cancer two weeks before she herself was diagnosed. Her brother passed from brain cancer in 2008.
"This event is awesome. It's amazing. It brings people together," Boydston said.
Getting support from others is what helped her in her battle against cancer. She said others who have been diagnosed need to reach out to their families and friends to make it through.
"My family was my rock," she said.
Leisa Carnaham, of Columbus, was attending her first Platte County Relay, too. As a 12-year survivor of cervical and uterine cancer, she was one of the survivors walking in the opening lap.
She has a long history of cancer in her family. Four of her sisters are cancer survivors, and another sister died because of it before Carnaham was born. Due to that, she is making it a point to educate her own daughter on the importance of medical checkups and early detection.
She advises those who are going through treatment to continue to keep a positive attitude.
"What helped me is my faith. So whatever faith you are, draw on that, your family and the American Cancer Society," Carnaham said.
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