Havre supporters will walk against cancer

The road to a cure for cancer is long, difficult and expensive, but many members of the community, including many with very personal struggles with cancer, are joining allies across the nation for Relay For Life.

The Relay begins officially at 6 p.m. at the Havre High School track, though a $5 charity barbecue will prepare people for the event at 5 p.m.

At 6 p.m. the opening ceremony will begin with the survivor lap, where people who have actually fought cancer and survived make the first round.

The parade of teams next next show each of this year's 28 groups.

Then the walking begins.

Volunteers will walk the track until the next morning to uphold their part of the fundraising pledges made by family, friends and supporters over the summer so far.

The 221 people participating this year have currently raised nearly $30,000.

Three fewer teams formed for the 2011 walk; they raised more than $64,000 that year.

Fundraising will continue through midnight Friday, though contributions made through the end of August also count in this year's total.

One reason for lower funds so far this year is the American Cancer Society doubling the cost of the paper bag luminaries that line the track and light the way, from $5 to $10, or 3 for $25.

"It's really moving to see the track lit up by all the luminaries," Angela Twombly, event co-chair and a skin cancer survivor, said. "When I started, we had enough to line around the outside and inside of the track."

In case fatigue or hunger start to inhibit a walker's movement, there will be several community supporters on site to add pep.

Taco Johns will bring a taco truck by at midnight.

Schwan's will also be on hand, offering treats, and Holden's Hot Wheels will get the people going with their truck of music power.

Local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will perform a flag ceremony.

Twombly said she's very happy about the amount of support and community cohesion behind the Relay.

It's her ninth Relay and the fourth and fifth for her two sons, ages 11 and 13.

"I wish everybody in the community would come out and support us and see what it is about," Twombly said. "If they haven't had cancer, they know somebody who has had cancer.

"It's something that the youngest to the oldest can be involved in."