PHOTOS BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CEREMONIAL FIRST LAP FOR 2027 … Taking part in the ceremonial first lap for 2027 in this year’s Williams County Relay for Life are from left: Vickie Sprow, LaRae Sprow, and Cindi Zigler. This year’s event took place on Saturday, June 13 at the Williams County Courthouse Square.
RELAY FOR LIFE SUPPORTER … Longtime Williams County Relay for Life supporter Norm Hiler, owner of Above The Norm Chicken Ministry, was on hand to cook up some smoked chicken and cowboy beans for the annual event. A cancer survivor, Hiler has been giving back all the proceeds going towards Relay for Life of Williams County.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The annual Williams County Relay for Life, held Saturday, June 13 at the Williams County Courthouse square, drew a strong crowd under this year’s science-fiction themed banner of “Imagine a Future Without Cancer.”
The event was highlighted with a survivor reception for those who have fought and conquered cancer along with their support groups, a luminaria ceremony for those who have survived or had battled but unfortunately lost their lives to the disease and concluded with a closing ceremony first lap into 2027.
John Cupps, who served as chairperson for this year’s Relay for Life, said it’s important to the fact it raises awareness about early cancer detection as well as a support group for the people who are battling cancer.
“You can’t do it alone, and it just takes too much out of you,” Cupps said. “My father has cancer and I know his support group does a lot for him.”
In years past, the Relay for Life event is usually held on a Friday evening like last year, but Cupps thought moving it to a Saturday would be better if people are not working and being able to attend.
“I think we have a better crowd than last year and hopefully it will continue throughout the day,” he admitted. “We understand there were a couple of other events going on here in Williams County.”
Cupps stressed the importance of support groups, especially with this year’s Relay for Life survivor of the year, Dawn Goeltzenleuchter of Edgerton.
“Support groups are big,” Cupps stressed. “Our Relay for Life survivor of the year Dawn Goeltzenleuchter talked about her support group, not only family and friends, but she also has a church support group and has a workplace support group. With all those people coming together it definitely helps.”
He added that all the money raised goes towards cancer research and helps promote transportation for patients to and from their treatments.
“These people should be celebrated every day for the battle that they put up with and have fought it,” said Cupps. Another Relay for Life chairperson, Vickie Sprow, also a cancer survivor, stressed the importance of the event.
“It helps with research mostly and that’s what we need right now,” said Sprow. The more we can get with ways to get cancer eradicated would be the best way to go. It has come a long way because there are more treatments available.”
Patrick Fischer, who is also another Relay for Life chairperson, said it was the 28th annual event and he has been doing this for a long time.
“It’s very important for the American Cancer Society because it’s really traditionally been their marquee fundraising event,” said Fischer.
“Considering what my mother and my father had passed away from cancer and my wife was diagnosed with cancer pretty much right at our first anniversary.”
Fischer felt that he’s kind of limited to just what he can do to fight cancer but on the other hand he admitted that he didn’t want to feel helpless.
“If I can find some kind of means to fight cancer, I’ll do it, and that ended up presenting itself with the American Cancer Society when I was in the hospital one time.
“They had a display table there and we got to find out about it and got involved in it.” A silent auction also took place as well as a raffle to benefit this year’s Relay for Life in Williams County.
