Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Showing off their T-shirts for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event are team members Kathy Beyer, left, and Dolly Burdick of the team known as “Zion Walkers.”
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Participant Kathy Beyer, center, gathers information at a kickoff event Thursday for this year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser.
Organizers of the Relay for Life have got cancer on the run again in Shawano County.
More than two months before the American Cancer Society fundraiser, a kickoff event Thursday set the pace for what organizers hope will be another successful year.
“It’s a good start,” said Heather Krawinkel, community manager of the event.
The 2016 American Cancer Relay for Life of Shawano-Menominee will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 2 at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B, in Shawano.
The walkathon-style event last year attracted 202 participants and raised $45,129.
At Thursday’s kickoff inside the Four Seasons Hotel & Resort in Shawano, organizers and volunteers agreed to set the goals for this year’s event at 225 participants and $46,000 raised.
Participants generally form teams, with the goal of having at least one team member walking on the track at all times during the relay.
As of Thursday, organizers said 11 teams had registered with a combined 45 participants ready to do their part in the fight against cancer.
Tomina Marquardt said 12 people have signed on to join her team, which goes by the name “Sweet Peas” in honor of her sister, Melissa, a cancer survivor whose nickname is Sweet Pea. Marquardt said she looks forward to the relay every year, knowing that the fundraiser makes a difference.
“It’s a lot of effort going into it,” she said. “But it’s rewarding in the end.”
Proceeds help the American Cancer Society in its efforts for research, education, advocacy and service in the fight against cancer.
Another team known as the “Zion Walkers” is returning this year after distinguishing itself among last year’s top fundraisers.
Kathy Beyer, a member of the Zion Walkers and herself a cancer survivor, said about 20 team members are enthusiastically looking forward to tackling the relay again. The team includes other cancer survivors, too.
“We’re all warriors,” Beyer said. “We’re celebrating every day, celebrating winning the fight.”