Log In


Reset Password
News Education Local News Nation & World New Mexico

Walking into the night to fight cancer

Relay For Life raises money and morale

In one of the largest fundraisers held in La Plata County, more than 400 people will walk at some point during the all-night Relay For Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society this weekend.

Their goal? Raise $100,000. As of 3 p.m. Saturday, teams had raised more than $81,000, and organizers expect money to come in throughout the evening and for the next few weeks, said Valerie Hargis, community manager for the local branch of the society.

Everyone who participates has a story, where either they themselves, a family member or friend have fought some form of the disease. This year, they were asked to answer the question, “Why do you relay?”

“I do it for the future,” said Jenni Mund, co-chairwoman of the 2015 Relay with Amber Morris. “I relay for my two sons and the baby on the way, so that they won’t hear, ‘You have cancer.’”

Mund shared some information with participants about how the money they’re raising will be spent – on research, advocacy, education and support services for cancer patients.

Since 1947, the cancer society has invested about $4 billion in research, she said, making it second only to the U.S. government. Seventy-four of the scientists who have received society funding have gone on to win a Nobel Prize.

An average of 2,200 people call the society’s hotline every day, Mund said, and more than 38,000 cancer patients and their caregivers have stayed in the society-sponsored Hope Lodging while receiving treatment.

Durango has more hotels involved in its Hope Lodging program than any other town in Colorado, Hargis said. Over the last three years, the Durango event has brought in more than $250,000.

“People come here from New Mexico and Arizona as well as Southwest Colorado for treatment,” she said.

Much of this year’s relay is dedicated to survivors, including a dinner a week ago sponsored by the Strater Hotel. Nikki Brandes led that initiative and was named Volunteer of the Year for her efforts.

But the hero of the hour was Bob Gallegos, who once again raised the most money. By Saturday afternoon, he had brought in more than $24,000.

“I relay for my sister and my friends,” he said at the opening ceremony. “Cancer, you’re going down.”

And then he started walking.

abutler@durangoherald.com



Reader Comments