Bastrop community walks to combat cancer at Relay for Life
Macy Kana’s strong spirit and frankness about her cancer were inspirational at Saturday’s Relay for Life of Southern Bastrop County at Erhard Field.
Kana, 26, a 2015 Bastrop High School grad, said she is battling soft-tissue sarcoma – a cancer that starts in the body’s muscles, fat and fibrous tissues.
“I’ve had cancer for two years. I’m still battling it. It is a journey I wish no one ever goes on. I definitely couldn’t get through it without the love and support of my family, my friends and the community of Bastrop,” Kana said. “It means the world to me to see all the people showing up and supporting not only their family, but people they don’t even know. This fight is hard, this fight is long, but with everyone’s support it has helped me. I’ve seen some familiar faces I haven’t seen in awhile tonight.”
Victoria Leal came to the Relay for Life to lend support as part of the Cancer Crushers team of Roscoe State Bank. Fundraising teams are composed of volunteers from local schools, businesses such as banks, and family and friends of those affected by cancer.
“It’s good that we’re back together, letting cancer victims and survivors know that we’re here for them,” Leal said of the relay reestablishing its presence after a hiatus due to COVID. “I have relatives who have had cancer and they beat it. We also had someone in our Cancer Crushers group who beat cancer recently.”
The Crushers were part of 22 teams that raised funds for the relay and walked the stadium’s track near sunset. Hundreds of small white translucent bags lined the track’s inner perimeter with the names of cancer’s affected imprinted on them. During the luminaria ceremony at the close of the evening, the stadium’s overhead lights were switched off as small glowing lights were placed inside the bags by relay participants.
It is an emotion-packed scene.
“We had over 800 luminaria bags placed around the track tonight. They honor every life touched by cancer,” said Cynthia Dickson, the coordinator of the relay.
Arnetrius Staples, associate principal of Cedar Creek High School, also had come to lend her support.
“I have been involved with Relay for Life for 10 years. One of the things I love most about it is giving back to the community and seeing the students come out, and some are younger students, and being together for a good cause,” Staples said. “I’ve known people who have survived cancer and people who have succumbed. My aunt and I are cancer survivors. We are prayerful for those who are battling cancer and praying for caregivers who support them. I’m looking forward to an even larger turnout next year.”
Dickson said that a $50,000 fundraising goal was surpassed as a total of $51,000 had been raised by the end of Saturday evening. “We couldn’t be happier, and money is still coming in. It’s important for the public to come out to support Relay for Life because their donations are used to fund the programs and the important research of the American Cancer Society,” Dickson said.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Bastrop community walks to combat cancer at Relay for Life
