The annual Relay 4 Life fundraising walk took place on Friday night in the Hastings High School Parking Lot. Co-Organizer Joanne Schommer told us nine teams had signed up to walk and that the reason she became involved was very personal.
Mayor Paul Hicks told us about the message he had for the supporters.
After the opening ceremony, the boy scouts led cancer survivors in the first lap and there were tears for those who had beaten the disease and also for those memorialized on the white luminaria bags that lined the perimeter of the track. The largest team, Ann’s Angels, named for Hastings Native Ann Smith, were represented by several family members who walked in her memory. Ann’s sister, Maggie McCoy told us this is her 2nd relay walk in Hastings, and told her reasons for walking.
Ann’s angels raised just over $9,000 through several fundraisers held during the year each adding to their impressive total. The teams walked during the evening and when darkness fell, hundreds of yellow and white bags containing candles glowed to light the way with hope. The teams take these laps together, each walker reflective as they pass each flame that represents someone touched by cancer.
