2022 Relay for Life
The 2022 Survivor King and Queen Timmy Hubbard and Barbara Froedge are pictured with their spouses followed by other survivors as they make a lap around the gym. Photo by PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
People gathered at the Metcalfe County High School gymnasium on Saturday, September 17th for the 2022 Relay for Life event. It was great to be able to have the live event this year after the last couple of years with the Covid restrictions.
This year’s activities included for the first time a cruise-in outside the school. Inside were several vendors with crafts and of course, luminaries were available for purchase. There was also a silent auction and raffle held.
Delicious food was available for the ample crowd in attendance with the BBQ prepared by Heart & Soul Catering.
Good music was proved by the Hornet’s Nest Pickers, Teresa Kitchens sang gospel hymns, and the Showstoppers performed. The national anthem was sung by young Cassie Harris who did a spectacular job.
The first speaker Candie Bennett, is a double survivor having had breast cancer and thyroid cancer. Candie spoke of her struggles through the treatments fighting the horrible disease. The second speaker Lee Ann Caffee Jones, whose mother lost her battle with cancer, spoke to the crowd from a caregiver and daughter’s point of view. Many tears welled in the eyes of those listening to these heart-wrenching accounts dealing with this deadly (and evil) disease.
Survivors were recognized and presented with gifts and plaques by the Service Learning Students and the first relay lap around the gym was taken by those survivors. On the second lap, the cancer survivors were joined by their caregivers and on the third lap everyone joined in.
The good news is that each year there seem to be more survivors present. On the other hand, the bad news is that it seems more people have had to struggle with cancer.
“We are just grateful to have been able to have our Relay for Life event. We raised $9,500, but our main goal this year was to give our survivors the recognition that they deserve for the battle of courage they have fought,” said Martha Bragg.
The 2023 Relay is kicking off on Saturday, October 8th with the annual Soup and Chili Cook-off at Leftwich Hall in Bowling Park. The cook-off begins at 5 p.m. and the cake walk at 6 p.m.
The first Relay for Life cruise-in was held outside the high school prior to the inside activities. Photo by PJ Martin
The Showstoppers dance team. Photo by Torrie Osbon
