Relay for Life of North Lee County raises $53,456 this year (copy) | The Hawk Eye - Burlington, Iowa | mississippivalleypublishing.com

FORT MADISON – As of Friday night, Relay for Life of North Lee County raised $53,456 for cancer research.

That brings the total up to about $1.5 million raised over the course of 26 years the Lee County group has been raising funds.

Angie Budnik, with Great River Health has been involved for at least 17 years. She thanked all the cancer survivors who gathered together for a recognition ceremony.

She said she herself has not experienced cancer, but her mom was a breast cancer survivor for 50 years before passing away this year at the age of 91.

“I just know that 50 years ago when mom was diagnosed, cancer was a bad word. You didn’t tell people you had cancer because of the stigma that it had,” she said. “But we have come so far in the whole research and the acceptance and understanding of what it is.”

That $1.5 million has supported a lot of research, Budnik said.

“I just think that without this community and all the people here,” she said, “this would never have happened.”

Carrie Jackson, a committee member and cancer survivor of 20 years, spoke about the luminary bags.

“I go out to Central Lee and they’ve participated in the Relay for probably five or six years now,” she said. “We take out the luminary bags and they color them. Some years it’s one big assembly and I get to talk to everybody at once, some years I have to go to each classroom. This year was definitely the coolest year.”

Jackson said the Central Lee teachers explained to their students about luminaria ceremonies.

“We explained to them that they’re welcome to color one – there was a little boy whose grandpa had just died from tongue cancer, so that’s how he colored his bag, with a picture of his grandpa on it,” she said. “We tell them ‘anything that makes you happy.’ It’s supposed to be a happy event. We’re celebrating all of our survivors. So anything that makes you happy.”

During Homecoming week, Jackson said, Central Lee students have theme days.

“The day that I came in to talk was ‘shine bright together’ and that’s what it was. The kids collected money and turned it into their teachers and that donation came with their day,” she said. “They’re trying to teach their students to give back to the community. So they were a big part of that.”

Budnik expressed appreciation for Dan the Man, who has provided DJ services for 16 years. Izaak Walton League provided the food. Kelly’s Cakes and Kim’s Confections brought cupcakes and cookies.

Committee members include Justin Pieper, Missy Park, Carrie Jackson, Mary Hellige, Michelle Schulte, and American Cancer Society partner Denise Conrad.

Pieper thanked the many sponsors for the event.

“I make these phone calls every year and there’s never hesitation,” he said. “They continue to give and give year after year and I thank them tremendously.”

Budnik said it’s amazing Relay for Life of North Lee County has that kind of support from businesses and organizations throughout the community.

Jackson said she hears every year from people who say they only have a $5 to donate.

“It all adds up. So don’t think that your contribution is insignificant. Whether it can be $1, $10, $100, we don’t care. We’ll take it all,” she said. “We’ll just take your presence. Your support is fantastic.”

The type of cancer Jackson has, she said, finally has a medicine to treat it.

“It’s from the research that the cancer society has funded. So your money is doing good. See? I am proof it’s working. So please continue to support us,” she said. “We completely appreciate everything you do and we’ll see you back next year.”

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