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Last year's relay was a testimonial to the individuals involved in the relay. The relay started at 9:00am with the sun shining! Mr. Wallace welcomed walkers to Bulldog Stadium. Scott Rousseau raised the flag as the St. Charles High School Band honored all the walkers by playing the National Anthem. The band proudly led participants in the opening lap.

The day included many highlights. Mr. Cecil Szepanski and the Hantz Group sponsored the Wall of Hope banner which went to Washington DC in September, representing the hundreds of families who signed it during the 24 hour event.

The survivors of cancer graced the track with their walk after former graduate Sandy Bare Kipfmiller told her story. Then the caregivers were honored for their love, caring and compassion in another special lap. The event seemed to be just perfect as everyone enjoyed the incredible spaghetti dinner provided by the moms of the Spirit Lifters team. The sun was shining on Bulldog Stadium and the track was busy with walkers trying to make a difference. Then something changed, the sun quickly faded into clouds but in the visitors bleacher of bulldog stadium was the word "HOPE" made out of milk jugs. It was inspirational.

The crowd quickly gathered for the luminary ceremony and former Miss Saginaw County Sarah Rick Rice was prepared to sing. The ceremony began, the wind picked up as the crowd watched a DVD describing the battle Gage Bryce is waging against cancer. Then it started to rain. What were we going to do? Anyone who wished to leave the stadium was invited to do so-- No one moved! Amber Russell spoke of the loss of her mom and grandmother and then it was time to light the candles and follow John Dusek playing the bagpipes. Each person came down from the bleachers, one heart at a time and lit their candle. The luminaries made with love for family and friends were wet and burned out, yet there was a special light in bulldog stadium, one beyond explanation! People continued walking on that track all night in the damp, cold weather. A 2002 male St. Charles graduate put the entire evening into perspective, saying, "This was an amazing night. I was proud to be a bulldog and I was proud of our community. I would have been very disappointed if the luminary ceremony had stopped. I have played football, ran track, and watched football in this stadium for years in the pouring rain. Tonight we made a difference." He was right; despite some challenging conditions $40,000 was raised for cancer victims and their families!

You won't want to miss this year's RELAY FOR LIFE!