American Cancer Society Announces Dates for 47 Relay For Life Events in Nebraska

The American Cancer Society is excited to announce 47 Relay For Life events will be taking place this year across Nebraska with the goal of raising more than $3.3 Million to help fund the Society’s mission to save lives.

Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event, is a fun filled event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones and raise money for the fight against cancer.  These events have combined to be the largest cancer fundraiser ever created, raising close to $4 Billion since 1985 and will engage well over 5,000 communities nationwide this year.

“We are thrilled to have 47 wonderful Relay For Life events taking place in Nebraska this year,” commented Mike Lefler, Director of Communications for the American Cancer Society.  “Hundreds of American Cancer Society volunteers statewide will be working hard to make sure that their communities play a role in fighting back against cancer.  We hope that everyone in Nebraska will consider taking part in a Relay For Life near them to help in the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives.”

The event begins with a cancer survivors lap celebrating those who have survived cancer or who are currently battling cancer.  Games, music, live entertainment encourage people all through the night.  Some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their camp sites during Relay.

Relay For Life’s Luminaria Ceremony takes place after sundown, honoring the community’s cancer survivors and remembering those lost to the disease.  Participants will circle a track that is surrounded with glowing luminaria that bear the name of someone who has battled cancer.  Luminaria may be purchased by calling the nearest local American Cancer Society office in Omaha (402-393-5801), Lincoln (402-423-4893) or Kearney (308-237-1631).

Also a part of Nebraska’s Relay For Life events are the “Fight Back Ceremony in which a community leader will inspire Relay participants with his or her own commitment and will challenge them to take a personal pledge of action (e.g., stop smoking, eat more healthy, exercise regularly etc.) in fighting back.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life first started in May 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt took the first step of this 24-hour walk around the track in Tacoma, Washington raising $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society.  For more information on how you can get involved in Relay visit RelayForLife.org or call 1-800-227-2345.

Below is a list of all American Cancer Society Relay For Life events in Nebraska this year:

RFL of Creighton University, March 23, Kiewit Fitness Center (Omaha)

RFL of University of Nebraska-Lincoln, March 31, Cook Pavilion (Lincoln)

RFL of University of Nebraska at Omaha, April 13, Sapp Fieldhouse (Omaha)

RFL of Doane College, April 13, Fuhrer Fieldhouse (Crete)

RFL of Nebraska Wesleyan University, April 13, Knight Fieldhouse (Lincoln)

RFL of Omaha Youth, April 27, Omaha Sports Complex (Omaha

RFL of Gage County, April 28, Gage County Fairgrounds (Beatrice)

RFL of Seward County, May 18, Concordia University (Seward)

RFL of Adams County, June 1, Hastings High School (Hastings)

RFL of Dodge County, June 1, Memorial Stadium (Fremont)

RFL of Hamilton County, June 1, Town Square (Aurora)

RFL of Butler County, June 1, David City Track (David City)

RFL of the Norfolk Area, June 1, Johnny Carson Track & Field (Norfolk)

RFL of Sarpy County, June 1, Papillion-LaVista South HS (Bellevue)

RFL of Wayne County, June 1, Wayne State College (Wayne)

RFL of Cedar County, June 2, Haskell Field (Hartington)

RFL of Midtown Omaha, June 2, Norris Middle School (Omaha)

RFL of Webster County, June 2, Red Cloud High School (Red Cloud)

RFL of Merrick County, June 8, Merrick County Fairgrounds, (Central City)

RFL of Boone County, June 8, Boone Central Schools Track (Albion)

RFL of Buffalo County, June 8, Buffalo County Fairgrounds (Kearney)

RFL of Clay County, June 8, Sandy Creek High School (Fairfield)

RFL of Holt County, June 8, O’Neill High School Track (O’Neill)

RFL of Southeast Nebraska, June 8, Auburn City Rec Complex, (Auburn)

RFL of Saunders County, June 8, Wahoo High School (Wahoo)

RFL of Douglas County, June 9, Elkhorn South High School (Elkhorn)

RFL of Otoe County, June 9, Nebraska City High School (Nebraska City)

RFL of York County, June 9, York County Fairgrounds (York)

RFL of Washington County, June 15, Fort Calhoun Schools (Ft. Calhoun)

RFL of Hall County, June 15, Grand Island Central Catholic High School (Grand Island)

RFL of Jefferson County, June 15, Fairbury City Park (Fairbury)

RFL of Keith County, June 15, North Park (Ogallala)

RFL of Furnas County, June 22, Cambridge High School (Cambridge)

RFL of the Burt County Area, June 22, Oakland-Craig Schools Track (Oakland)

RFL of Cass County, June 23, Plattsmouth High School (Plattsmouth)

RFL of Cherry County, June 23, Valentine High School (Valentine)

RFL of Platte County, June 29, Lakeview High School (Columbus)

RFL of Knox County, July 6, Creighton High School (Creighton)

RFL of Cuming County, July 13, West Point-Beemer High School (West Point)

RFL of Lincoln-Haymarket Park, July 20, Haymarket Park (Lincoln)

RFL of Dawson County, July 27, Cozad High School (Cozad)

RFL of Thayer County, July 27, Deshler High School (Deshler)

RFL of Fillmore County, July 28, Fillmore Central High School (Geneva)

RFL of Kearney County, August 3, C.L Jones Middle School (Minden)

RFL of Lincoln County, August 4, Adams Middle School (North Platte)

RFL of Phelps County, August 4, Holdrege High School (Holdrege)

RFL of Harlan County, August 10, Alma High School (Alma)

For more information about any of these events, please call 1-800-227-2345 or log on to www.RelayForLife.org.

Hope Comes in All Colors

“Hope comes in all colors” by Cherek Elsasser (Papillion-La Vista High School)

When Michelle Mathison asked her classes who has been or knew someone that has been affected by cancer, there was not a single student who didn’t raise their hand. The undeniable truth is that cancer touches thousands of lives every day.  According to the American Cancer Society, in Nebraska alone there were an estimated 9,430 new cases of cancer in the year 2011. Nationally, the number was approximately 1,596,670.

Six years ago Mathison realized the toll cancer had taken on the students at Papillion-La Vista High School. She was motivated to make a change and formed the fundraiser “Color of Hope.”  Color of Hope is a fundraiser that sells t-shirts to support and raise awareness about cancer.

 “Color of Hope was originally created to support breast cancer, but after years passed I began to realize that there were far more forms of cancer that were affecting people,” Mathison said.

The first four years of the fundraiser put complete emphasis on breast cancer. They sold hundreds of pink shirts and made people aware of the effects of breast cancer.  However, last year Mathison started selling different colors of shirts to support several types of cancer.

“I thought to myself why should the fundraiser only support breast cancer when there are so many other kinds (of cancer) that exist and impact peoples lives every day,” Mathison said. “This year we will be selling nine different shirts, each with a different color. Every color represents one or more types of cancer.”

The t-shirts cost ten dollars and the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society in order to try and create a cure for cancer.  T-shirts were also given out to the kids at the cheer clinic as a way to raise awareness, not only in the school, but throughout the community.  Everyone who owned a shirt was encouraged to attend the PLHS basketball games on February 4th and show support by wearing the shirts.

For two PLHS students, Color of Hope has helped them cope with losses.  Earlier in the school year, junior Gabe Hoins supported his aunt by wearing a towel with her name on it.

“My aunt died of cancer when she was only twenty-eight years old. She battled cancer for five years,” Hoins said. “Cancer has had such a big effect on myself and my family. Color of Hope really makes me feel better because it shows how many people are dedicated to finding a cure for cancer.”

Hoins is not the only student who is grateful for Color of Hope.  In October of 2010, Randy Cahill, father of seven including junior Karolyn Cahill, was diagnosed with cancer.  “My dad was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer a few years ago,” Cahill said. “It was so surreal when we found out. It was hard to live with the fact that my own father was sick, but after a while it made us all stronger and it made us appreciate every second we have together.”

Not only has Color of Hope encouraged Cahill, but the school supported the family in other ways as well.  “The support around the school has been so great. They sold shirts that specifically supported my dad. The basketball players all wore gray to support my dad. Seeing everyone come together to help us has really helped me and my family to get through this,” Cahill said.

The effect cancer has on everyone is unbelievable. Color of Hope gives many people a positive outlook and faith. Show your support and contribute to the cause.

Omaha College Student Survives Cancer and Gives Back Through Relay

Peart (middle) with her friends Heidi Murphy (left) and Stacy Dahlkoetter (right)

As a 25-year-old UNO student, Courtney Peart can come to grips with the fact that she will never have a child of her own.  She can take the years of side effects from medication, the endless hours in doctors’ offices and numerous tests to find the cause of her abdominal pain.  She looks back over the last 10 years and all that has happened with no regrets.  And this year, she is hoping to help others who have gone through similar circumstances by being part of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

When she was just 15 years old, Courtney was diagnosed with endometriosis, a painful disease of the endometrium lining of her uterus.  Three years ago her symptoms worsened causing numerous surgeries, ER visits and thousands of dollars in medical bills.  At the age of 23, she determined that she had no choice but to undergo a hysterectomy when her doctor found masses on her uterus through an MRI.  On March 15, 2010, she faced cancer and fought with all she had. 

“I woke up and realized I would never have a child of my own,” she said.  “The doctor told me the masses were in fact cancerous but everything else was going to be fine.  We found it just in time and chose the correct ‘treatment’ for it.  Today I look back at my choice and after a hysterectomy, two oophorectomies, and being in full blown menopause at the age of 25 I am finally healthy and fully cancer free.”

In 2011, she hadn’t planned on participating in the Relay For Life due to a few school obligations that weekend.  However, her team captain asked if she would represent their team as a survivor, even if she couldn’t stay all night.  Even though she was scared and nervous, she attended and had a great time.  This year, she decided to be more involved because of her first experience.  She is a team captain for the athletic training students at UNO and is the survivorship chair on the planning committee.  With this role, she has the opportunity to plan special things to recognize fellow cancer survivors throughout the night.

Peart wearing hat made by RFL committee members Jackie Whelan and Stacie Weakland

“Relay For Life is a place where survivors can go and not feel alone,” commented Peart.  “They can feel like they have support and a new found family will emerge.  It is important for people that haven’t been diagnosed with cancer to remember that they can still be a part of something bigger, they can still help someone who has cancer and they can still make a difference.”

This year, students from all over Nebraska will be able to put down the books for one night and join Peart in the fight against cancer by participating in any of six college/youth events throughout Nebraska.  Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and raise money for the fight against cancer.  Relay For Life unites people from all walks of life at the largest fundraising walk in the nation.  Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay, all with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer. 

For more information about how to get involved in any of these events, please contact the American Cancer Society in Omaha at 402-393-5801, in Lincoln at 402-423-4893 or log on to www.RelayForLife.org.

2012 American Cancer Society College/Youth Relay For Life Events

March 23 – RFL at Creighton University – Kiewit Fitness Center

March 30 – RFL at University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Cook Pavillion

April 13 – RFL at Doane College – Fuhrer Fieldhouse

April 13 – RFL at Nebraska Wesleyan University – Knight Fieldhouse

April 13 – RFL at University of Nebraska Omaha – Sapp Fieldhouse

April 27 – Omaha Youth RFL – Omaha Sports Complex