Rice County For Life Relay Honorary Chairs Kerry Vigesaa and Nicole Zrust told those gathered for the luminary lighting service they "appreciate life more" after going through their cancer treatments.

It never ceases to amaze me how honorary chairs are able to speak so candidly about their biggest challenge.

Vigesaa added, "I've become a better person," and shared how she no longer keeps a calendar. She just wants to have fun because life is too short.

Zrust said her kids were her inspiration and helped in getting through the treatments.

Vigesaa and Zrust said they view the experience as a blessing because of the new relationships they gained.

One of my favorite parts of the night is the survivor lap where the survivors are given paper rings to hang around their neck or carry to the Keith Shaffer Memorial Survivor Tree and place there. Total survivor years in 2016 were 1,198.

Zelna Spitzack told me she's been a survivor for 40 years.

During the opening ceremony, retiring oncologist Dr. Burton Schwartz said in his more than four decades of work, he's seen a lot of improvements in the treatment of most cancers. He added when he started there were only a few drugs for treatment and now there are scores of drugs.

There were 3,499 luminaries lit on the Rice County Fairgrounds.

The amount of money raised is not known yet with some money yet to be collected.

I was given a wrong number after bank night last week, so the total after the Relay with a significant amount remaining was just under $89,000.

The top individual fundraiser among the teams was Cindy Gilbertson of the PEO Stately Striders with $5,340.

Candy Meyer of Caron Connection raised $3,390 and Lori Jo Markman of PEO added $3,065. Kari Boldt with PEO raised $3,040.

With three of the top four fundraisers on their team, PEO Stately Striders was the top team fundraiser with $18,520.55.

Caron Connection was second, raising $9,879.21 and Allina Miracle Workers placed third with $8,912.93.

With 14 teams this year, to raise about $90,000 is really an amazing accomplishment.

The weather could not be more perfect so a good crowd did come down to share a good time on the Rice County Fairgrounds.

Most of the crowd left after the silent auction closed, and that's a shame because the luminaries lit around the fairgrounds are an amazing site to behold.

A couple of my friends said they weren't going to attend because of the Olympic opening ceremonies in Rio. They should have taped it and come down to see all the love shared during the Rice County Relay For Life.

Next year will be the 25th and organizers are already talking about throwing a big bash, so keep the first weekend in August open and join the night of love at the Rice County Relay.

 

More From KDHL Radio