June 16, 2014 at 10:43 a.m.
Relay for Life celebrates survivors, honors those who have fallen
Relay for Life celebrates survivors, honors those who have fallen
They're strong, righteous and, most importantly, they sport iconic costumes.
This year's theme at the Relay for Life of Oneida County, which took place Friday evening at Mike Webster Stadium in Rhinelander, was Superheroes against Cancer. Kids were running around in capes and a few other costumes could be spotted as walkers took to the track.
As it is every year though, the real uniform of the day was a simple purple T-shirt, and each one was worn by a real superhero.
There is no better example of the super strength, hope and perseverance abundant at the event than this year's honorary survivor Brian Norberg.
"In December of 2012, I had three quarters of my lung cut out with three ribs cut out," he said, addressing the crowd. "It spread to my brain and I had a stage four tumor on my brain. After they took the tumor out, I did 15 radiation (cycles), full brain treatments. About a month and a half ago, they spotted another little tumor in the back of my brain and that was taken out with a gamma knife. It's a single treatment of radiation and now it's gone."
Norberg spoke to his fellow survivors in attendance at the relay, as well as all those there in support. His message was one of hope and resistance against a terrible disease.
"I thank God that he's taking care of me," he said. "Lots of people love me, I found out. Our church, Pine Grove Community Church, would bring us out suppers, pray for us and talk of good life. I truly believe that God is putting this into my life so I would have a chance to witness all the good people, like those here tonight. It's all in God's hands, and when I first got cut open, I said I was either going home, or I was going home. I honestly believe that. There's hope for everyone. You just need to keep track of (the disease) and keep it close before it gets too big."
The survivors took their honorary lap. Music played and the crowd of purple circling the football field represented an enormous amount of wins. Each person had beaten cancer, a more intimidating challenge than any comic book villain.
Event chairperson Angela Harris said it was an incredible show of solidarity and celebration.
"It's an amazing feeling," she said. "It's the community coming together in hope and celebration. It's really uplifting and it's our future. The event takes the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the cancer survivors. It's really a one night event that's a culmination of a fundraising effort, but the night is really about honoring the survivors and remembering those that we've lost."
While each purple shirt represented a win against cancer, each paper luminary that lined a large portion of the track represented a battle lost. Each had a name written on it. When the sun went down, the lanterns were lit. They served as a reminder of how important it is to continue the fight.
But that's what superheroes do. Just ask Captain America. Or better yet, grab someone wearing one of those purple T-shirts.
Andy Hildebrand may be reached at [email protected].
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