Story Photos
 Photo by Greg Ebersole Relay for Life founder Dr. Gordon Klatt listens to introductory remarks at the 2006 Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Relay for Life on Saturday before giving his keynote speech. |
Relaying hope, hundreds turn out in support of annual cancer awareness fund-raiser
Sunday, August 13, 2006 12:36 AM PDT
By Sophie Swecker
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E-mail this articleIn 1985, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon strode around a track for 24-consecutive hours for cancer awareness, single-handedly raising $27,000.
In the 21 years since, the trek started by Dr. Gordon Klatt has spread to 20 countries, and raised over $2 billion nationally for cancer research.
"When I first started, I thought maybe we could continue this in Pierce County, then maybe in Washington state, then it just kept growing," Klatt said Friday in Longview.
Saturday, Klatt appeared before hundreds of volunteers and cancer survivors at the Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Relay for Life to offer words of inspiration before the race.
"I tell people at these relays, when they see a breakthrough somewhere, they're part of that. All of us who are participating in this are participating in curing more people," he said.
After Klatt's speech, a line of over 100 cancer survivors took turns at the microphone and shared how long they had been cancer free; some for as long as 50 years or as short as a few weeks.
Paul Batzle of Longview was walking in his first relay, with his daughter Christine, a thyroid cancer survivor, 16 days after winning his battle with prostate cancer.
"It was frightening. You hear the C-word and immediately you think death," Batzle said. "I've had a bajillion prayers and a loving family...that's what heals you."
Even at the relay, Batzle said he was surprised by the amount of support and advice he got upon meeting fellow survivors.
"People are willing to help you, that's the key here," he said.
While members from 80 relay teams, comprised of nine to 40 members each, took turns around the 1/3-mile track at the Cowlitz County Expo Center, volunteers sold hot dogs, T-shirts, and train rides for charity.
As of Thursday, teams had raised $116,000 of the $175,000 goal, up from last year's $152,000.
"The goal is just continual fund-raising," said volunteer Judy Bain.
Participants were also asked to sign a banner for the "Wall of Hope" a collection of banners supporting cancer research that will go on display in Washington D.C. next month.
Accompanying the banner will be Napavine resident Candy Koons, who was nominated by St. John's Hospital to represent the Longview area at the "Celebration on the Hill," a national relay event on the Capitol Mall in Washington D.C. next month, that will involve over 10,000 people outside the Washington Monument.
"The research is so important," said Koons, a breast cancer survivor who has lost several family members to the disease. "My mother died of breast cancer. Because I have four granddaughters who have those genes, we need a cure, that's why we're going to Washington."
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