Homer Alaska - News -

Participating in the relay has been "a way for me to do something, to help raise money for a cure in our lifetime," said Bishop.

Relay For Life began in the 1980s, when Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Wash., decided to run marathons as a way to fund-raise for his local American Cancer Society office and show support for his patients battling cancer. In 1985, he spent 24 hours running and walking a total of 83 miles on the track of the University of Puget Sound. Nearly 300 patients, family members and friends stood at the sidelines and cheered. For his effort, Klatt raised $27,000.

From that beginning, Relay For Life now draws millions of people in and outside of the United States in an overnight event symbolizing the constant war being waged against cancer. According to the event philosophy, "it represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated."

In the past four years, Bishop, whose mother died of cancer, has been captain of the team "Hippie Chicks" and has raised thousands of dollars to aid the war against the disase.

"The first year I did it, I went up (to Soldotna), after working all day, started walking about 6:15, after the opening ceremonies and the survivor lap, and basically walked maybe 22 hours," she said.

Over the years, Bishop has witnessed a welcome change.

"The more that I go to these events, the more survivors there are. It's incredible," she said.

Bishop recently returned from the "Great West Leadership Summit," training for individuals organizing the relays. It was held at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, in Reno, Nev., and was attended by individuals from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, New Mexico and Alaska.

"My poor brain," Bishop said, laughing. "It's like cramming for a final. I'm really excited about this. Also nervous and scared. It sounds overwhelming, but it's not out of reach."

Goedderz will be at her side, searching for others to help with the undertaking.

"Because the Relay for Life in Soldotna was going so well and had such great participation, especially from Carolyn's team ... we really wanted to start the event so we could represent Homer and have something for cancer survivors to look forward to every year," Goedderz said. "A lot of survivors see it as a milestone, celebrating another year of being cancer free, of surviving. It's something they can put on the calendar and track."

The relay also serves to raise community awareness about cancer's long reach, as Goedderz has witnessed.

"A lot of times we get new people that see someone there, maybe their neighbor or coworker, they didn't know had cancer," she said.

The financial goal for the lower peninsula's first Relay For Life is for relayers to raise $20,000. The money is divided between research, education, patient services and advocacy. People can participate as teams or as individuals.

It also is an opportunity for businesses, churches and neighborhoods to come together in a show of support.

"The big thing is to let us know you're coming out," Goedderz said. "If you're going to raise money, that's icing on the cake."

At the Oct. 2 meeting, individuals will be sought to head up committees in team development, logistics, sponsorship, advocacy, registration, survivorship and a youth committee.

"If you have any interest in helping out, it doesn't matter how or where or when, come to the meeting, listen to what we have going on and see where we fit in," Goedderz said.

Bishop is expecting a good turnout.

"Everybody said I have my work cut out for me, which I know I do, but I don't think I'm going to be alone in this," she said.

For more information on the Relay For Life Oct. 2 meeting, call Bishop at 235-7491 or e-mail her at ladylill@gci.net.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.