Each year, the SMDC Cancer Center proudly sponsors numerous American Cancer Society Relay For Life events throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Relay For Life is a celebration that acknowledges cancer survivors, pays tribute to those who have lost their lives to the disease, and raises funds for the fight against cancer. During the event, teams of eight to 15 people gather for an overnight at schools, fairgrounds or parks |
 |
and take turns walking or running laps around a track for the entire night.
Many SMDC physicians and specialists speak at Relay For Life events. SMDC volunteers committed to fighting cancer in their communities also mobilize teams throughout the region.
Dr. Robert Niedringhaus, oncologist at SMDC Cancer Center, has participated in or been a speaker at many Relay For Life events.
“Relay For Life is a time to celebrate each other and support one another,” said
Dr. Niedringhaus. “It is a poignant evening. A time to honor those who have survived cancer, those living with the disease, those who have passed on and the caregivers who have given so much of themselves. It is a time to be emotional and spiritual.”
A highlight of each Relay For Life event is the luminary Ceremony of Hope. Luminaries carrying the names of cancer survivors as well as those lost to cancer line the track and are lit after dark.
SMDC social worker Terry Mahoney has participated in Relay For Life since 1977.
“Every year I walk the track lined with luminaries and look at the names. When the evening comes and they are lit, it’s as if those names have a presence there. It is powerful.”
Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.
JOIN US
We invite you to be part of a Relay For Life event near you this year. Simply contact the person listed at the event closest to you. If you can’t participate as a team member, we invite you to join us for the Opening Ceremony, which includes a Survivors Lap around the track followed by inspirational speakers and stories of strength and courage.
| MINNESOTA |
WISCONSIN |
International Falls/Koochiching County
May 2
Team contact: Jay Hokenson,
(218) 285-6242 or jhokenson1@smdc.org
Opening ceremony speaker: Brett Glave, fourth-year medical student at University of Minnesota Medical School
Duluth/St. Louis County
July 17
Team contact: Marcy Kernez,
(218) 786-3581or mkernez@smdc.org
Opening ceremony speaker: Bret Friday, MD, PhD
Cloquet/Carlton County July 17
Grand Rapids/Itasca County
July 17
Hibbing/St. Louis County
Aug. 14
Team contact: Lauri Simons,
(218) 262-3425 or lsimons@smdc.org
Opening ceremony speaker: Jennifer Pedersen, MD
Ely/Northern St. Louis County
Aug. 14
Team contact: Marian Klobuchar,
(218) 365-7931or mklobuchar@smdc.org |
Spooner/Shell Lake
June 5
Team contact: Missy Wienbergen,
(715) 635-5837or mwienbergen@smdc.org
Opening ceremony speakers: Jocelyn Korasick, MD, and Bev Bohac, MD
Ashland/Bayfield
June 12
Team contact: Jennifer Dobbs, (218) 786-3203 or jdobbs@smdc.org
Superior/Douglas County
July 10
Team contact: Lori Nollet, (715) 395-3016 or Lnollet2@smdc.org
Opening ceremony speaker: Robert Niedringhaus, MD
July 9 Survivors' Dinner Speaker: Thomas Warden, PA-C
Hayward/Sawyer County
Aug. 7
Team contact: Janet Takala, (715) 634-5528 or jtakala@smdc.org
|