 In the early morning hours Saturday, there were sane people up,
walking and talking at the Lincoln Center, and they were willing to
share their stories. Lively music by DJ Chris Ramlow of Log Cabin
Entertainment was playing in the background and the atmosphere was
festive. And why not -- it was the annual Relay For Life walk to end
cancer.
One of those present and keeping the early vigil was Bill Post,
an honorary chair for the event this year.
Post has been attending since April 1998 to honor his sister,
Donna Roschnafsky, who lost her fight with cancer in 1984 and was
laid to rest on July 24, her 50th birthday.
Post was instrumental in getting the names on the luminaria bags
this year, and at the 9 p.m. reading he cited over 1,000 names to honor
cancer survivors and those who have lost the battle with this
terrible disease.
Post has never been on a relay team, but he has been involved
with the event for many years and said that he plans to continue to
help as long as he is able.
Members of Robin Ingram's team were up, too. She was the other
honorary co-chair, and team members Holly Meteer, Aubrey Letterle
and Jodi Deters were participating in the event for their second
time.
When Ingram was diagnosed with cancer last year, there were 50
people on the team for that first year. This year there were 30
members -- family and friends by her side.
The girls said they do not have to ask people to help, because
people just volunteer. These team members and their friends were
more than willing to make cash donations for the fight against
cancer.
"As soon as you tell them what it's for, it's no problem," Deters
said.
They all agreed, this team will continue to participate in the
Relay For Life as long as they are needed.
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Jim and Susan Gehlbach are familiar faces in the community. Why
were the two of them still there in the wee hours of the morning?
Jim and Susan both lost their moms to renal cell carcinoma, a
cancer that forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney
that filter the blood and remove waste products. Jim's mom, Patsy
Gehlbach, died 15 years ago. Susan's mom, Fran Lessen, walked in the
Relay For Life in April 2003 before losing her battle in June of the
same year.
This is the 16th year for the Gehlbach team, Angels All Around.
Several years ago there was a rule that there could be only 15
members on a team. So, the Gehlbachs put together two teams of 15
members each. This year they had 12 family team members.
The Gehlbach teams have raised over $60,000 over the years for
the battle against cancer
Mike and Nicole Lee were up, too. Nicole, one of the event
co-chairs, was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. She and her husband
continue to walk even though Nicole has been cancer-free since 2011.
Nicole's team is made up of 25 family members and close friends.
This year during the opening ceremony, Nicole had her hair cut, a
13-inch ponytail, to donate to Locks of Love, a nonprofit
organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged
children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any
diagnosis. It was an emotional moment, not only for Nicole but for
many in the crowd who witnessed her gesture of love.
The overnight event is a reminder that cancer does not sleep.
Those participating were not concerned about sleep, but about
helping to find a cure for the dreaded disease. Everyone was just
happy to be there, enjoying the camaraderie of family and friends.
One and all just want to help save a life.
[By LISA RAMLOW]
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