Relay for Life honors survivors and those who are gone

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Everyone has a story.

Some bring joy, others hope.

A smile might appear, a tear may be shed.

Central Park in Charles City saw the Floyd County Relay for Life once again support those in the fight against cancer on Friday evening.

Whether it be a friend, brother or sister, or husband or wife — there aren’t many that haven’t somehow been affected by cancer.

This year’s relay was in memory of Kathy Sonne, who died last fall. Sonne, from Charles City, was captain of the IC Angels (Immaculate Conception Angels) last year. The team this year is the top fundraising squad with just over $6,000. Julie Offerman took over Sonne’s role as team leader after her death.

“I just know I had some awfully big shoes to fill when I took over. Kathy was so good,” said Offerman, who also resides in Charles City. “She was very dedicated to the Relay for Life.”

Offerman’s fight against cancer became personal when her brother had his bladder removed just this past February because of cancer. She also has a sister who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Offerman said Sonne exemplified what it means to be a survivor.

Sonne was first diagnosed with cervical cancer more than 20 years ago. She beat that, but a different form came back just after her last Relay for Life in 2017, when she was diagnosed, on of all dates, her 70th birthday.

The news was grim — pancreatic cancer. After that devastating news in August, she died in September — less than a month later.

Her brother, Roger Smith, one of 12 kids in the Smith family, was at Central Park to support his gone but never forgotten eldest sibling.

He talked about how he was able to cope with the pain of knowing his sister didn’t have long after cancer came back the second time.

“Our family always had a strong belief in our religion and our faith. It gets you through. If you have that, it takes care of the rest,” said Smith.

Tragedy struck again months later as another Smith sibling found out they had cancer when the baby of the family, Paul, was hit with the news he had bile duct cancer. Cancer would take Paul, too, as he succumbed to the disease in less than a month as well, dying this past April at the age of 51.

The Smith siblings died exactly 7 months apart.

Roger, who lives in Stacyville, talked about sometimes not knowing when might be the last day you ever see your loved ones again. That realization came when his father died.

“So often, you don’t realize that how close it really is, because I have taken my dad into the hospital different times and we’ve always come home. That final time, it’s just like, really? This was the last time? You just take what you can get,” said Smith.

Paul’s wife, Lesa, was also present Friday, as was much of the Smith family, all wearing white. They walked in unison around the park to honor their loved ones that are gone and to show support for a possible cure to the dreaded disease.

Roger explained about coming to grips with two of his siblings dying in such short window of time.

“You’re talking between three to four weeks, just to wrap your mind around the idea of that they have it and they’re not going to be around that much longer,” Smith said.

Connie Burney of Charles City, the event’s coordinator, was happy her prayers were answered as the rain stayed at bay to make a pleasant evening weather-wise. Burney summoned her prayer warriors for clear skies.

“They came through big time,” said Burney, who works for First Citizens Bank in Charles City and is a member of two relay teams — the IC Angels and First Citizens Bank.

Burney’s mother and father-in-law died from cancer within three weeks of each other. Her daughter, Amy Brown, was given the news of skin cancer six years ago. That’s reason enough for Brown to join the cause and put up a fight against cancer.

“I am an avid supporter. I feel strongly about supporting Relay for Life,” said Brown. “I see all these people and the support our community has — it’s a strong feeling.”

Burney’s goal is a simple one.

“I’ve had other family members that have heard those awful words. That’s my motivation, so people don’t have to hear those words anymore,” she said.

According to the Floyd County Relay for Life website, $16,952.50 has already been raised to support the American Cancer Society. The goal is $30,000. Burney said donations can be given year round, but in order for the money to count toward the 2018 goal, it needs to beat a mid-August deadline.

There were many fun things to do on Friday during the relay beside walk. There were kids games and pedal cars, not to mention plenty of food. There was also a silent auction and zumba was performed by Jenn and McKayla.

A survivor celebration was one of the opening scheduled events of the relay. A luminaria ceremony also took place at the close of the relay.

The theme for this year’s Floyd County Relay for Life was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”