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Relay 2003
Gold Sponsors
American Cancer Society
Fox 28 - WSJV-TV
Galbreath, Inc.
Link Environmental
Sander’s Foods
Winamac Coil Spring
Silver Sponsors
The Alexander Family
Braun Corporation
Hague Insurance
Knights of Columbus/V. Ladies
Winamac Moose Lodge 2513
Pulaski Memorial Hospital
Smith Motors/Auction
Bronze Sponsors
Braun Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep
Cargill, Inc.
Chesapeake Recycling
Jim Dobson Ford-Mercury
Fashion Floors & Interiors
First Christian Ch. Francesville
First Federal Savings Bank
First National Bank of Monterey
Good Oil
Tim & Colleen O’Connor & Fam.
Plymouth Tube
Pond View Gold Course
St. James-Salem United Church
Webb Printing
Winamac HS Student Council
Friend Sponsors
Fred Allen Auto Center
Dr. & Mrs. Rex Allman
All Seasons Home Center, Inc.
Dr. Bates
Budd Insurance Agency
Camelot Flowers
CJ’s Liquor Store
Fraternal Order of Eagles 2580
Gilsinger Implement
John’s Water Works Car Wash
Dr. Brian Johnson
JSI Steel (JSI)
Knapp Tire Co.
Rev. & Mrs. William Mathys
Kim Moyer, O.D.
R&D Machine/Rife Farm Supply
Olga Russell
S&S Precast
Dan Tankersley Law Office
Nighta Tompert
Tippecanoe Church Ladies Guild
Town & Country Women
William & Louanna Webb
Winamac Community HS
Winamac Kiwanis
Winamac Pet Med
Wuethrich Realty, Inc.

The 2003 Relay
used an Hawaiian theme

One of 800 Luminaries

To see related Relay for Life photos click below:
2002 Relay for Life
2003 Coaches Basketball Challenge

A page reserved for those "special" items that come our way!
2003 Pulaski County
Relay for Life

Finding empowerment ...

Story & Photos
By Karen Clem Fritz

JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT, the clinging mists parted to reveal a Friday-the-13th full moon floating across the sky - adding its soft glow to the luminaries along the walking trail in the Winamac town park.

Neither the dampness from a heavy rainshower earlier in the day, nor the superstitious calendar date diminished the spirit or the solemnity of Pulaski County’s sixth annual Relay for Life June 13-14. The event set a new record total of $78,647- and counting - in funds raised for American Cancer Society programs.

The local Relay is still growing and attracting attention from neighboring counties and the state. At last year’s event, $73,000 was raised. In 1998, the first year Pulaski County held its own Relay (instead of participating with neighboring counties) $17,000 was collected.

It’s impossible to count the number of people who attended the event in the Winamac park. But 50 teams, averaging 10 members each were registered. They were joined by vendors whose profits were donated to the cause, and visitors who came to lend their support. So the park peninsula was filled with over a 1,000 people. Pulaski County continues to stand near the top, as recognized by the ACS (American Cancer Society), for the most money generated per capita in the nation.

Chamber of Commerce Youth Council's "Tippy Turtle" Race

What makes this event so successful here?

“Cancer is one of those dreaded occurrences that make us feel helpless,” explains Relay co-chairman Joan Lauder who oversees the oncology department at Pulaski Memorial Hospital. “And in a small community such as Pulaski County, if cancer hasn’t touched you personally, it has touched someone you know.

“The experiences shared at Relay for Life give participants a feeling of empowerment,” she continues. “That’s huge. And in the last couple of years there has been an explosion of new cancer therapies, thanks to the research funded by events such as Relay. If we weren’t seeing results, the event wouldn’t be so successful.”

Galbreath, Inc.	First Christian Church, Francesville

West Central Student Council	Link Environmental

Residents bond together at the local Relay for Life to remember loved ones lost to cancer. They also gather to celebrate the victories of cancer survivors, and to fight this disease that affects everyone, either personally or through family and friends. As always, the support and hard work of hundreds of community members who worked weeks and months before - and then during the Relay - was astounding.

The Relay itself is the American Cancer Society’s signature fund raising event and consists of a 12- or 24-hour period in which several teams of at least eight members per team collect donations to sponsor their all-night walk. The ACS reports there are 3,000 Relays held across the nation.

Pulaski County’s Relay ran for 12 hours beginning at 6 p.m. last Friday evening. Earlier in the afternoon (in the rain!) participants were setting up campsites and fund-raising booths, anticipating a night of community fun and fellowship. By the time of the opening ceremony, the park was crowded with people of all ages already completing laps on the park’s walking trail.

At nightfall came the lighting of 800-plus luminaries which dotted the walking trail along the Tippecanoe River. They were sold prior to the Relay for $5 each. Each hand-decorated luminary paper bag was dedicated to a survivor of cancer or to a loved one who has passed away from the disease.

Nationwide, an estimated 1.3 million new cancer cases (31,200 in Indiana) are expected to be diagnosed this year, and more than 1,500 people a day will lose their battle with cancer. Pulaski County residents will not be untouched. The realization of this fact is what brings so many people together to fight the disease.

At 9 p.m. the walking and talking came to a halt as team members stepped aside to observe the Survivors Walk. Those who have survived the disease walked together, candles in hand, while onlookers cheered their triumphs. This victory lap was followed by the silent memorial walk when all participants paused on the trail and joined hands, encircling the entire distance of the walking trail loop.

Co-chairpersons of the local Relay are Chris Smith, a cancer survivor, and PMH’s Joan Lauder.

The increasing success of each local Relay has inspired many community businesses and organizations to become involved and find new ways to raise money and support the cause throughout the year.

“The creativity of the fund-raising events was just amazing this year,” Lauder observes.

Money raised during the Relay is used to help in the fight against cancer through funding research, by providing services to cancer patients and their families, and providing cancer education.

The success of each local Relay fuels inspiration for the next.

“Chris and I feel tremendous satisfaction that our committee continues to grow in numbers and enthusiasm,” Lauder says.

So dig out your bobbie socks, poodle skirts, leather jackets and ‘57 Chevys. The theme for the 2004 Relay will be “‘50s Rock & Roll.”