Relay for Life continues fight to find a cure for cancer

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Some walked, some remembered and many continued their fight against cancer on Friday night at Central Park in Charles City.

The Floyd County Relay for Life held its annual event to raise funds to help stomp out the disease which affects millions of people.

The cure has not been found – yet.

Jan Adams, who has attended many Relay for Life events for well over 20 years and is a member of the Valero Charles City team, said she was glad people came out to give hope for all who have been touched by cancer.

“We can’t give up. That’s the main goal,” said Adams. “You can’t just give up on cancer.”

Endless Summer provided live music for those who came out to support the Relay for Life cause.

Steve Lovik, the senior community development manager for the American Cancer Society in northern Iowa, was at the event. He oversees six area counties that hold annual Relay for Life events.

“We’re making progress,” said Lovik, who himself was diagnosed with stomach cancer three years ago.

Lovik said that the format has changed over the years regarding how the Relay for Life events are handled and organized. No longer are people who raise money required to track their mileage and walk or run. Lovik also said donations and fundraising often take place year round.

“They may choose to not attend the relay, but they’re committed to the mission of fighting cancer and they want to support that,” said Lovik.

Adams said she remembers charting runners’ progress in the wee hours of the morning years ago. Often relays were held from dusk until morning.

“In the early days I had a spreadsheet – who was walking when,” Adams said.

Adams said almost everyone knows someone who is dealing with cancer.

“I’m not so sure you can talk to anybody these days that hasn’t been affected in some way,” she said.

Connie Burney, who is the Floyd County Relay for Life coordinator, said this is the county’s 23rd relay.

Lovik said the monetary goal for Floyd County is $20,000 and prior to Friday that figure stood around $14,000.

Adams said, “It’s nice to see the people, but it’s really about the dollars. We have to raise money for cancer research.”