Relay for Life pulls an all-night crowd

New Ulm resident tells her story

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Jill Curry of New Ulm learned she had melanoma (malignant skin tumor) cancer four years ago by accident.

She shared the story of her experience with cancer with others at the Brown County Relay for Life, held at the Brown County Fairgrounds last night through this morning.

Curry said she visited her doctor regarding a colon polyp but noticed she had an unusual mole that was flat, very dark and almost shaped like a heart. Further testing showed the mole was cancerous. Curry had some anxious moments. At first, she wondered if she would be able to see her children grow up.

"I have many moles but that one was different from the others," Curry said. "I was lucky it was removed soon enough so I didn't need any radiology or chemotherapy."

The cancerous mole was .23 inches deep, which meant a 97 percent survival rate, Curry said. Cancerous moles .75 inches deep or more are likely to spread to other body organs. People with them are 40 percent likely to live five years.

Curry said she feels good now. She gets medical checkups every three to six months.

Thunder rumbled and a few raindrops fell Friday night as Relay For Life participants manned their 24 campsites and placed thousands of luminaries inside the race track at the Brown County Fairgrounds.

Event chairperson Erin Julius was grateful for all the volunteer help for the event with a fund-raising goal of $100,000 to be used to help find a cancer cure.

"We had youth and adults from New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, Springfield, Hanska and Comfrey that began working at noon. They did everything we asked of them," Julius said.

The goal of the event is to increase the number of cancer survivors. Cancer survivors are encouraged to attend. People who know cancer survivors, or who know those who didn't survive, are encouraged to attend in their honor.

Teams sold food at their campsites, played games and held drawings and other activities. Golf carts were available to those that needed them.

After event goers ate supper in the infield, an opening ceremony was held with Terri Heil singing the National Anthem, followed by a tribute to former New Ulm Junior High School teacher and counselor Jim Zetah.

A survivor's, caregivers and volunteers lap and parade of teams lap began the fund-raising walking relay that continued until 6 a.m. Saturday.

Honorary Chairperson Karen Stadick spoke at 8 p.m. She told the story of Richard Block of H&R Block who was diagnosed with cancer in 1978 and was told he had three months to live.

"He refused to accept it," Stadick said. "He dedicated his life to fighting cancer, creating a National Cancer Center in Kansas City, Mo. and an International Cancer Center in Bethesda, Md. that created a world cancer database."

Block wrote two books about cancer and raised billions of dollars for cancer research before he died several years after he was told he would.

"He had hope and never gave up," Stadick said.

She told Relay For Life goers to make a list of five things they've always wanted to do with their lives -- things like exercising, losing weight, stopping smoking, taking a family vacation or just spending more time with their family.

"Use your precious moments," Stadick said. "Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is an unknown. We have today."

Music was provided by the Searles People of Praise from 8:30-10 p.m. The band Armadillo Jump of Minneapolis played from 10 p.m. to midnight. B&J DJ Services provided music after midnight.

A team picnic for walkers was held at 11:30 p.m. Campsite and incentive fund-raising prize winners were announced at midnight.

A creative hat contest was held at 1 a.m. Team activities were held at 2, 3, 4 and 5 a.m. before the bubble lap was held at 6 a.m.

Part of the night's events was the reading of "Hope," written by the late Jim Zetah:

Hope: What does it mean to you?

Hope: is it a fantasy -- a myth? Can one grasp it -- touch it? Is it like a dream -- an elusive victory? Where does one buy a hope catcher?

Hope: a simple yet profound four-letter word. A word born of power and strength. A word that invites optimism. One that dislodges despair and replaces hopelessness.

Hope: it is a beacon on a dark, lonely night. A light to guide and direct, to focus, to illuminate. It connects body to mind and spirit.

Hope: makes a companion of prayer. It creates a purpose. It reaches to the soul and excites the spirit and restores energy for life.

Hope: entertains the future. It is a rainbow after the rain. The red sky of the dawn and the full moon of the night.

Hope: a gift we cancer survivors carry. A blessing to cling to. It is the breath of life. As we walk in the light in the relay (rally) for life.