Coming home for Christmas break during her senior year in college, Kristina Hendrickson (daughter of Kathie Hendrickson, ERHS athletic secretary) was told she had stage three breast cancer. Getting cancer for Christmas wasn’t what she expected. It was a shock to all the Hendrickson family, but mostly to Kristina, who had many obstacles to overcome. An organization called Relay for Life raises money each year that is donated to research, enabling doctors to diagnose people like Kristina in earlier stages of cancer, which stops the cancer early in its tracks. This is the main reason why Kathie Hendrickson participates in the event.

Relay for Life was founded in 1985 by Gordon Klatt of Tacoma, WA. He ran and walked solo around a track for 24 hours (equaling about 81 miles). He alone raised $27,000 to fight cancer. Now, Relay for Life annually raises more than $300 billion in 2,800 communities nationwide.

In Eaton Rapids, Interact helps raise money for the cause by having their own team.

“For us, it worked better because we had more people to raise money rather than just individual people raising it,” said Interact member Heather Marcus. “We’re the most spirited team and its always fun out there.”

For the high school team, students go around and raise money by passing out feet or just taking donations.

“I bought a foot so I know the money went towards [Relay for Life] but I am not involved in Relay for Life,” said sophomore Chelsie Wolverton.

The relay is an overnight event. Volunteers bring the supplies they need to get through the two days.

“4,800 relays nationwide is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and raise money for the fight against cancer,” says the Relay for Life website.

By donating money to help research, doctors are able to diagnose patients earlier, dropping the death rate.

“In 2007, an estimated 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women, as well as an estimated 62,030 additional cases of in situ breast cancer [which stays in the ducts or lobules and doesn’t spread to surrounding tissue],” According to the American Cancer Society.

Other organizations, like churches, participate in the relay.

“My church put a team together a few years ago and I thought it was a good thing,” said media specialist April Trudgeon.

There are businesses that also are in support of the cause like local business including wig shops to help those women that suffer from breast cancer.

“My mom’s business, ‘The Front Room,’ is a store that caters to women who have gone through breast cancer,” said Holly Bliese, Relay for Life participant and English teacher at ERHS.

The relay is set up to honor people who have survived from cancer or those who have died.

“My grandfathers both died from cancer, my aunt Dawn had cancer three years ago,” said Stacy Priesman math teacher and Interact advisor at ERHS. “It was horrible the emotional struggle was something nobody should have to go through.”

Currently, the high school team is raising money with all the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

“[Anyone can] join the high school team. Buy a foot from one of our members (for $1), participate in our fundraisers/half court shot contest, BBQ, carwash, and bottle drive,” said Priesman.

Both Priesman and Bliese say students can all make a difference, even if it is small.

“Students should be more active in trying to raise money for the American Cancer Society,” said Bliese. “Go door to door, ask friends or family, ask teachers, ask members of your congregation.”

Cancer is a big killer; it’s at least in the top five reasons of death today. Priesman says even teens can help change that statistic.

“1,500 people die each day from cancer. One out of every four deaths is from cancer,” said Priesman. “Can you think of four people who died in the last year? This is not right. Even being a teenager, you have the power to effect change.”