Published: June 21, 2009 02:42 am      

Hundreds come out for final day at Relay for Life

A 22-year breast cancer survivor, Marceita Wolf has been walking around the track at Kokomo High School’s south campus ever since the inception of Kokomo’s Relay for Life.

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In doing so, she hopes nobody else will have to go through what she has throughout her battle against cancer.

Put on by the American Cancer Society, the event brings thousands of people together for one cause — to fight cancer.

“I felt it was important to make a statement by being here,” said Wolf, who along with fellow breast cancer survivor Maryellen Anderson spent the weekend raising funds and awareness.

“This is something we have a passion for,” Wolf said.

“I’m a 22-year survivor. We had only one treatment back then. Now there’s a lot of different treatments.”

Anderson, an 11-year survivor, said the team Breast Cancer Survivors from Howard Regional Health System, raised approximately $1,000 for the cause as of Saturday afternoon.

“We’re just a small team doing what we can,” said Anderson.

Throughout the 24-hour event, teams of walkers and some joggers made their way around the 400-meter track to raise funds and awareness to fight cancer.

Storms forced organizers to close down Relay about 9:30 p.m. Friday. Most participants came back Saturday to sunshine and a nice breeze.

“I think the weather put a damper on things,” said Anderson. “A lot of people went home because of the lightening and never came back.”

Wolf and Anderson were among 111 teams to walk either in remembrance or honor of those with cancer.

The event raises money for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services. It began at 3 p.m. Friday and ended at 3 p.m. Saturday. Last year, the event raised more than $260,000. No total was immediately available for this year’s event.

At the Team 100 tent, Joan O’Malley and Charlene Freeman were walking in memory of Jerry Freeman, who passed away from lung cancer last year.

“Jerry was my brother. He was diagnosed a year ago,” said O’Malley. “He passed away in July and we formed the team in his honor.”

The team earned last year’s Rookie Team award and raised $6,000 this year for the fight against cancer.

“I have real mixed feelings,” said Charlene, Jerry’s widow. “We were hoping he would be a survivor.”

As in years past, more than 100 balloons adorned with messages to those who died of cancer were released into the air during an emotional silent lap.

“It gave me goose bumps,” said Sarah Crawford, one of a number of volunteers who helped run the event.

“This little boy said, ‘Have a safe trip to heaven, Papa,’ as he released his balloon,” she said.