The Spur

Issue date: 2/8/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Andrew Stoll Russ Svenningsen, an instructor of music at SMSU, was one of two unlucky people hit in the face with a pie at Relay for Life as part of a fundraiser for the event. Kate Friedrichs, a senior studying speech communicatications, received the honor of hitting Svenningsen with the pie.

The fourth annual Southwest Minnesota State University Relay for Life progressed from weeks and months of planning into reality this past weekend as chairs and committee members wrapped-up their efforts at preparing for the events and emcee Andrea Kopfmann extended a warm welcome to all participating and in attendance. Kopfmann especially acknowledged the dedication and hard work of all organizers for the event.

"The past several months of preparation have been real intense," said Bethany Broberg, co-chair. "It was a lot of work but it was worth it."

This year's theme was Mustang Rodeo. The crowd was dotted with bright neon chartreuse-green t-shirts worn by members of the organizing committee. The mood was somber yet fun-filled with music and laughter amid the atmosphere created for relay events in the old SMSU gym.

Cancer survivors in the audience were recognized and asked to begin their walk along the luminaria-lined walkways of the upper level gym. Groups of people who have lost loved ones to cancer followed their lead as the seating area gradually emptied and all were walking the relay path, sharing and supporting with words and listening, as they walked.

The SMSU Chemistry Club, sporting tie-dyed lab coats put on an awesome display of their abilities to make things go pop, bang, fizz, smoke, blaze, boil and boom. As the moment of reckoning neared, Russ Svenningsen and Shannon Mason were declared the "winners" of the Pie for a Cure contest as they each took their place on stage and awaited the carrying out of their sentence: a pie in their face. Each withstood the hilarity in the name of this great cause.

This year's Relay for Life honored the family of Brian Buysse who lost his battle with cancer in 2004. Brian himself participated in the 2003 SMSU Relay for Life. His sister Lisa, currently a student at SMSU, shared their story of hope and loss. In describing Brian's challenge with cancer, Buysse quoted him saying, "This is the card I was dealt. I am going to do my best with it." This was especially a time of supporting among all in attendance.

"Sharing of grief and common strength; hope brings us here together," said co-chair Kitty Taylor.

She explained the symbolism of the small, set table; the chair unoccupied. The red rose stands for enduring love. The inverted glass signifies the victims no longer here to partake. The pink ribbon stands for support for cancer research. The wedge of lemon, there in remembering the bitterness of losing loved ones to cancer. The lit candle represents hope.

"Hope," Taylor said. "That's why we're doing this."

The total figure for money raised through this year's Relay for Life is not yet available. All proceeds from the relay will go directly to assist patients and those impacted by cancer.

For more information about the American Cancer Society call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the web site at www.cancer.org.

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