(Seguin) — Folks who have spent the last few years fighting cancer are invited to this weekend’s Relay Reunion. The reunion is all part of this year’s annual Relay for Life of Guadalupe and Comal County. The American Cancer Society event is set for 3 to 7 p.m. at the big pavilion at Max Starcke Park.
Last year, both the Guadalupe and Comal County Relay for Life groups chose to merge their efforts in hopes of saving more lives and drawing closer to a cure as one strong team.
Realizing the importance of acknowledging all those who have been a part of Relay’s history is Misti Abrameit-Guenther. Guenther says although the fundraising event itself has changed, the goal has remained the same.
“So anyone who has participated in the past as a survivor, a team captain, a leadership person, anybody who has participated in Relay for Life in Comal County or Guadalupe County. We are trying to do a Relay Reunion and what does that look like? At 5 o’clock, we are trying to have everything together to do a Relay lap, to be able to do a big group Relay photo of past and present. I have Earlene Jarzombek who is the one who brought Relay for Life and carried Relay for many, many years here to Guadalupe County. Becky, Voges who is one of the founders in Comal County — she will also be there because she is still participating and has a team. So, it’s kind of a look back. We want to know and see the faces of Relay from all the way back to 1999,” said Guenther.
As part of including the Relay Reunion in this year’s schedule of events, Guenther also hopes to showcase the impact that Relay has had in the fight against cancer.
“Comal, from the record books, shows me it started in 2001. Guadalupe County was started in 1999. At five o’clock, I’m going to disclose how much money those two counties have brought in for the American Cancer Society. So, that’s part of that lap, and wanting to report back to everybody that everybody matters and every bit that has been done here in Guadalupe County has helped Relay for Life but even more than just Relay for Life as the American Cancer Society. By raising that money, we have helped people by having better treatments, earlier detection, rides to treatments, Look Good Feel Better programs, building the Hope Lodge — if anybody unfortunately has had to stay in those beautiful facilities by MD Anderson — and those were all things that have been helped by this community,” said Guenther.
Survivors this Saturday are also welcome to be a part of the event beginning with registration at 3:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies will get underway at 4 p.m. followed by the Survivor Lap and Caregiver Lap.
A total of 22 Relay teams will be on hand to raise money during this year’s event. This year’s theme is “Games.” Team booths include games, food, baked goods, and raffles. The solemn Luminaria ceremony, which includes the reading of names of those impacted by cancer, will get underway at 6:30 p.m. Luminaria bags are $5 each and can be purchased in memory of someone or in honor of someone battling cancer.
Although this year’s Relay will serve as a reunion and a look back at the past, Guenther says it’s also the launch pad into the future and helping to meet the needs of the Seguin and Guadalupe County community.
“This community doesn’t have somebody who treats cancer here in town. Many people have said and I wish I could help bring a cancer doctor to Seguin where people can actually have treatment.
We struggle with that. We have such great places in New Braunfels and we have places in San Marcos and San Antonio, all around us but we don’t have it here in Seguin and I want so bad for a doctor to come here and put roots down so that when the people of Seguin do need treatment or do need that help, I would love for them to be able to get that treatment and go home and not have to travel so much. So, that’s my goal. That’s my dream for our area but even more, I would love for cancer to go away. That is why we have been trying to raise money for these last 24 seasons of Relay for Life of Guadalupe County,” said Guenther.
This weekend’s Relay is one of 2,500 Relay events around the country that support and celebrate survivors and caregivers. Those still interested in forming a last-minute team or who would like to make a donation are encouraged to call Guenther at 830-832-2440.