Participants take a swing at cancer for Relay for Life

Relay for Life has quickly become a popular event around the United States for raising awareness of cancer. Teams have been formed across the nation to raise money and fight for a cure.

This year at the Relay for Life of Cape Girardeau County, about 25 teams set up booths around the makeshift track at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. The park closed off a section of roads, creating a track for the walkers with a grassy area and stage in the center.

An Oldsmobile with the word "cancer" painted down its side sat on the grass next to the road. Next to it was a duct-taped pink sledgehammer.

It was the fundraising booth for the Got Hope? team, run by the husband-and-wife combo of Reid and Priscilla Mabuce. Participants could donate $1 for three swings of the sledgehammer at the beat-up 1990 Oldsmobile.

Reid grinned as a young man swung the hammer, causing dents in the driver's side door. Reid was pleased with the positive response people were having to the booth.

"My teammate said something about when he was a child, they were destructive, and they had a car that they did that, and I thought this would be a good idea for relay," Reid said. "So we painted it up with 'cancer' on the sides and the top, and here we are, making money."

Reid and Priscilla are survivors of cancer. Reid experienced a bout with melanoma in 2004, and his wife suffered from breast cancer in 2009. The duo had been part of Relays for Life for years before either of their cancer bouts and now are more driven than ever to continue.

"When I got cancer, I decided that 'OK, it's serious now, so if I am going to raise money to fight cancer, I want to make sure I get with an organization that is the best.' And when you get out there and research what people do with the money, American Cancer Society does the best," Priscilla said.

Their team had raised $800 at a trivia event earlier in the year and hoped to raise even more at the relay.

Last year, the Relay for Life in Cape Girardeau raised about $176,000 for cancer research in Southeast Missouri, according to Kelly Schenimann, American Cancer Society specialist of community events. The group intends to raise the same amount this year, and as of 6 p.m. Friday, it already had raised $130,000.

According to the event brochure, funds raised during Relay for Life are divided into 31 percent local programs and patient support, 16 percent cancer research, 15 percent prevention information and education, 10 percent treatment, 22 percent fundraising expenses and 6 percent management and general expenses. Schenimann emphasized the importance of keeping funds local from this event.

A new facet of the fundraising is support for the research of Dr. Rebecca Lobb of Washington University in St. Louis. She is using her research to benefit patients in Southeast Missouri.

The Relay for Life took place from noon to midnight Saturday, with people constantly walking the track. Music blared from the stage, and every so often a large "thwack" was heard from the Mabuces' car-smashing stand.

Schenimann said some of the most popular events are Irene's line dancing on stage, Zumba by Marissa Higuera, a performance by the Reflections band and the annual Luminaria ceremony. The Luminaria, which took place Saturday night, was where people gathered to remember those who died from cancer. Schenimann said about 200 people usually attend the service.

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

Pertinent address:

410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, Missouri