Lincoln county Relay for Life raised almost $19,000

The Lincoln County Relay for Life walk-a-thon was held in Davenport, starting on June 13 at 6 p.m. and continuing until 6 a.m. on June 14. The event was held at the Davenport High School track and field complex. Twelve teams, with over 100 participants, ranging in age from infants to senior citizens, walked, jogged, strolled and danced their way around the track to raise money for the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer, with the goal that more people survive to celebrate birthdays. Each year Lincoln County residents are among those the American Cancer Society assists who need rides to treatments, hotel rooms, prosthesis, nutritional supplements, in addition to many other services. Relay also helps fund research to find a cure so that some day no one will have to hear the phrase, "You have cancer."

The evening began with the presentation of the colors by the Fairchild Air Force Color Guard. The first lap was for survivors. For the second lap, caregivers joined survivors, and the third lap on was for all participants. The walking continued throughout the evening and into the morning despite a persistant rainfall during the night. There were activities and food concessions that entertained and nourished the relayers throughout the walk, as well as good natured comraderie of people united in a common cause. The highlight of the event was the luminary ceremony, where all the track lights were turned off, and the luminary bags, each with the name of a survivor, current fighter or one who has lost their battle to cancer, were lit and the names read out.

This is a very moving ceremony as the walkers continue to walk around the track in silence, often stopping in front of a luminary of a family member or friend.

Odessa was represented by the Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center team. The team has been busy throughout the year with fundraisers, contributing $4,172.03 of the $18,948.03 total that was raised in Lincoln County this year. The OMHC team appreciates the continuing community support. In addition to the fundraising amount listed, local corporate support was given by Odessa Trading Company, Odessa Drug, Odessa Foods and Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center. Odessa Foods donated cases of canned goods that were used as weights in the luminary bags, and then donated to the Odessa Food Bank after the relay. The winners of the quilt drawing were Brayden Finkbeiner and Dr. Mary Klingner.