Topekans work to battle cancer in their different ways
10:43 p.m. Friday, June 6, 2008
11 year-old Alexis Geier sang to the opening walk, with more than 350 survivors striding around the track. All ages came out and a little boy led the survivors pack.
"There's some little bity kids here, and that just breaks your heart, but they are the tough ones. Those little guys, you know, they just keep going," said Kathy Palmer, a cancer survivor.
People of all ages join hands to fight for a cure to cancer.
Kathy Palmer is a two and half year survivor.
"You never know how your going to react when you hear the words you have cancer, you don't know if your going to panic, you don't know if you are going to step up and do it. I just chose not to feel sorry for myself and I'm going to beat it, and I'm just going to go on," said Palmer.
Hundreds of people are walking to raise money for a cure.
"It just fills my heart with such joy to see all the money that we've raised from this event is helping all these people to be here today," said Palmer.
Brent Slagle was chosen as one of two Heroes of Hope for Kansas, and he opened today's events.
"I'm a 22 year cancer survivor," said Slagle.
Relay for Life will last throughout the night, as a symbol for those who fight in the dark .
"In the night, as you get tired, it symbolizes the person getting tired having to go through treatments," said Slagle.
Luminary bags light up the track as the darkness approaches. Thousands of luminary bags line this field, and hundreds of people are walking in remembrance of these people, and to help find a cure for this disease.
But these people will see the dawn ahead.
"As the daylight breaks, it's the symbolism that it's like the light at the end of the tunnel," said Slagle.
The event isn't just emotional. Relay for Life also brings out some healthy competition. And we were a part of it.
49 News Anchors Gena Terlizzi and Liz Zamora were at Hayden High School judging campsites.
People get creative, putting together a home-away-from-home for the overnight event.
And what looks like a party is a real life saver.
People who enjoyed lemonade today at the Topeka Hy-Vee also raised money for kids fighting cancer.
This is Alex's Lemonade Stand, an idea started 8 years ago by a little girl with cancer.
Now, every state has at least one-- and together they've raised $20 million for cancer research.
The money has helped kids like Josh.
He beat cancer five years ago after being treated at KU Med and Children's Mercy Hospitals in Kansas City.
"Because of them, he's still alive and now we get a chance to give back because the money raised here goes back to those hospitals and their oncology departments to help those kids and their futures with cancer," said Janene Freerksen, mother of a cancer survivor.
If you'd like some lemonade and the chance to save a life, you can do that Saturday at Hy-Vee at 29th and Wanamaker from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
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