'Cancer does not stop, so neither will we' — Relay for Life raises money for research

ASHLAND – Cancer survivor Joe Ortiz grabbed the celebratory banner and led the Survivors' Lap in the warm sunshine of late Saturday afternoon at the Ashland County Fairgrounds.

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As the Relay For Life of Ashland County-Mid Ohio ceremony kicked off on the track, committee chairperson Sunshine Imhoff provided the battle cry.

"Cancer does not stop, so neither will we," Imhoff said, not until the disease is completely defeated.

Ortiz, a cross country and track coach for Mapleton Local Schools, told Relay for Life participants he was diagnosed with the disease seven years ago and also experienced a recurrence.

For the first time in a group setting he said, "I am a cancer survivor."

Through his experience Ortiz said he learned to "lean into (his) faith" and encouraged attendees to feel God's presence. In the time of trial, "Talk to him in the most real way of any time in your life," he said.

A booth was set up to purchase luminarias for the nighttime ceremony in honor or memory of a friend or loved one.

"All the teams take turns selling them," said Betsy Chapman of the luminarias, which proclaimed, "Every candle has a name. Celebrate. Remember. Fight back."

Bags were illuminated by glow sticks, "so that you can read the names while walking at night," Chapman said.

Track lined with bags with decorations, names and heartfelt messages

The track was lined with bags inscribed with names and heartfelt messages, such as "Mom and Dad, Love you more" and "Forever in our hearts."

Some of the luminaria bags were addressed personally — to Paw Paw, Big Paw and Nana. Other sacks were decorated with hearts, flowers or a happy face.

Betsy Chapman's T-shirt read "Hess' Warriors" for the team first organized in memory of Dr. Katherine Hess.

"My mom (Joanie Chapman) worked for her for several years," Chapman said.

In 2016 the Relay for Life event was held on the day Hess had died the previous year.

"It felt like a sign for us to create a team," she said.

Each year her team honors or memorializes someone different,  Chapman said. "This year it is my mom, who is also a survivor."

Team Ripple Effect is a family team, which was organized in 2010, the year "we lost about 10 family and friends," Scott Hartsel said.

The highlight of their team booth on Saturday was a playhouse donated to be raffled.

"All the money raised goes to the American Cancer Society," said Hartsel, pointing out, "All kinds of stuff (for Relay for Life) is donated."

Julie Altman, who walked with her daughter on the Survivors' Lap, said, "I am a 15-year survivor (of breast cancer)."

Her daughter, Ashley Altman, walked with her mother for the first time as a survivor herself of thyroid cancer.

"It means a lot to be around other survivors, to hear people's experiences and share their stories," Julie Altman said, but also to raise money for the ACS to be used for research and treatment.

Because of new ways to treat cancer, it is "so much more survivable now," she said.

"The memory walk means a lot to us, too," said Altman, whose husband lost his life to cancer.

The camaraderie and "huge support" of Relay for Life are a significant part of the experience, she said. "I've made friends I would never have met."

Silent auction includes about 80 donated baskets

About 80 baskets were donated for the silent auction portion of the event.

"Each team supplies whatever they could get collected," said Cathy Hartsel. Her team, Ripple Effect, "got about 30 ourselves."

Basket-theme items were varied, encompassing games, sports, ice cream and other treats, crafts, baby supplies and fan favorites such as Spider-Man and Frozen souvenirs.

The fundraising goal for the entire event is $40,000, Inhoff said; but before Relay For Life got off the ground on Saturday, almost $31,000 had already been raised.

Ashland Mayor Matt Miller's opening remarks invoked the memory of Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

Miller quoted Rogers, who succumbed to stomach cancer in 2003, from the television celebrity's 2002 commencement speech delivered at Dartmouth College.

Miller drew from Rogers' plea for the "gift of a silent minute to think about those who have helped you become who you are today" and led attendees in a moment of silence meditating on those who have encouraged them along their journey of healing.

Strong Choice team was 40 strong

Natalie Kocher was part of a team of about 40 strong, aptly named Strong Choice.

"We walk every year," Kocher said, having become part of Relay for Life "long before my mom was even diagnosed."

Family and friends join in each year, right down to grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, the youngest of whom can't walk yet, "but is working on it," she said.

Following the Survivors' Lap, survivors and their caregivers were treated to a special meal.

The Ashland County K-9 unit, Med Flight helicopter and Touch-a-Truck were among those on hand for the 4-10 p.m. Relay for Life celebration. Participants also enjoyed food, dessert, a poker run and a frozen T-shirt contest among the family-oriented activities offered.

"It takes a village to fight cancer," Ortiz said. "No one fights alone."

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Relay for Life memorializes lives lost, celebrates survivors