Rain or shine, it's Relay time

Forty-eight teams help raise more than $90,000

MOSES LAKE — The pitter patter of rain, gusts of wind and the sight of lightning could not deter cancer supporters who came Friday afternoon to kick off the 2006 American Cancer Society Relay for Life event in Moses Lake.

As opening ceremonies started a few minutes after 6 p.m., participants clung to their umbrellas, tents and canopies set up around the track to protect themselves from unfavorable weather conditions.

Despite that, cheers of support and smiles were not in short supply.

"We don't go home until the survivors do," said Stephanie Meacham with the Beta Sigma Phi Epsilon Nu team. "We're here just to give back to our community."

The overnight event continued until noon on Saturday, keeping with the annual tradition of celebrating cancer survivors, remembering loved ones and raising money to fight cancer.

Relay for Life began in the mid-1980s after Dr. Gordon Klatt completed a 24-hour marathon around a track in Tacoma, raising $27,000 to help the American Cancer Society treat patients and fund cancer research.

Forty-eight teams participated this year in Moses Lake and brought in $59,000 as of Friday evening. On Monday morning a reported $91,000 had been collected with more money that had yet to be totaled.

In the middle of the downpour, Brandy Wilson shared her reason for relaying: To remember the loss of her grandmother to lung cancer three years ago.

As lightning could be seen in the distance, Wilson commented she would not go home unless organizers canceled the event early.

A few tents down, Yesenia Buenrostro with the Moses Lake Community Health team noted she lost her aunt to breast cancer and came for this year's relay to support her coworkers.

Buenrostro's teammate Ryan Law was reminded of his grandfather currently battling cancer.

"The teams were tough and they hung out," said Donna Anderson, volunteer chair for Relay for Life.

Luminary bags with names of loved ones were placed around the track to remember cancer survivors and those who have passed on.

Some luminaries did have to be redone due to the weather, Anderson said, agreeing with others that the weather did not keep people from having a good time.

At 2:20 a.m. a couple renewed their wedding vows after having been married for 22 years and two days.

A garbage bag fashion show was also part of the fun.

"The rain wasn't going to stop people's memories and their hopes," Anderson said.