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Memories of loved ones shine bright PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Michelle Sprehe   
Wednesday, 17 June 2009 07:00
A sea of people in purple and white T-shirts filled the Paola High School track Friday night through Saturday morning as part of the 25th annual Miami County Relay for Life.

This year’s participation topped last year’s with an increase of 10 registered teams. However the $61,000 raised fell short of last year’s $69,000.

“The way the economy has been, we knew it’d be tougher this year,” said Susan Gorman, Relay for Life committee member.
But the amount raised this year still tops the total of $49,000 from two years ago.

The night started off with an inspirational story about battling cancer from survivor Mike Carr, of Kansas City, Mo. Carr has been designated as a Hero of Hope by the American Cancer Society.

“The real heroes are the people who prop us up, in my opinion,” Carr said in his speech.

The walking finally began with the survivors walking in one direction around the track, and their caretakers walking in the opposite direction until they met in the middle on the other side of the track.

Participants walked through the night from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. At about 9 p.m. the Luminaria Ceremony of Hope was held, honoring those who died from cancer, and those who have won the battle.

This year, Mark Everhart, Michele Hufferd, Aubrey Hills and Gene Morris raised more than $1,000 each. First Option Bank raised more than $5,000 and the Swenson Center and Great Southern Bank each met the $3,000 mark.

Osawatomie 6-year-old Gabriel Smith walked in the survivor lap and was greeted by family and friends Erin Smith, Courtney Spurgeon and Adam Martin before continuing his lap and letting the balloon fly towards the heavens.

Having a little fun with the ’80s theme, celebrating the 25th year for the Relay for Life, Paola residents Rachel Stevenson and Ken Kestle dressed as Cyndi Lauper and Michael Jackson for the walk.

Jack King of Lee’s Summit, Mo., put on a little dance for the crowd Friday night. King, a cancer survivor, works for the Spring Hill school district.

Verle Bostick and his daughter Michele Hufferd, both cancer survivors, were at the front of the survivor’s lap. The two attended the event with a strong contingent of supporters from the Louisburg Lions Club.

Paola High School student Bailey Barney used her artistic ability to raise money for the event, drawing portraits.

Xander Meinig, 2, Paola, aided the Silver Bullet Band with the entertainment, pulling out his toy drum set to play for a few songs and was later jamming with the band with his Guitar Hero’s instrument to rock on, much to the delight of the band and everyone watching.
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