Relay for life event set for Sept. 21

Joel Born, 61, works about 70 hours each week for a private construction contractor. Raised in Waseca, Born spent a short time living in Ellendale before becoming a full-time resident of Owatonna for the past 45 years.

 

Beth Ohnstad, sister to Born, was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer that eventually spread to her liver. The day she was diagnosed and the day of her death in 2000 were only seven weeks apart. She left behind two children under 16.

 

The diagnosis and loss left Born with many questions about cancer: the where, why, who and how, but especially the why. Faced with the reality of his sisters’ situation and its aftermath, a broken-hearted Born went looking for a place where he could make a difference, and chose the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Relay for Life.

 

The work continues 24 years later. The ACS is sponsoring an event at the Steele County Fairgrounds Beer Garden beginning at 5 p.m. on September 21. On the schedule for the evening are entertainment, food, cancer survivor speakers, dancers and a silent auction. Meals will be provided; a raffle will offer a generous cash prize. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Also on September 21 will be the tenth Annual Daiken Dash which brings in around $10,000 for the cause.

 

Born says his decision to support the ACS was made after some investigation into the ways different charity organizations distribute donations. Not wanting to see his charity funds go into the pockets of CEOs and executives, Born says he only gives his time or donations to two charities, both of which he’s vetted personally: American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and the Special Olympics. Born mentioned he also helps with fundraising programs “involved with recovery, specifically drugs and alcohol.”

 

With help from Born and two other chairpersons, Mary Betker and Joel Host, the Steele County Relay for Life works with the Waseca County organization to raise between $70,000 and $100,000 each year. Having been through personal tragedy himself, Born feels a connection with people who are going through turmoil and need help. He says he recognizes “that look of desperation when people reach out.” He’s been there and is giving his own time to prove it.

 

The American Cancer Society has two Minnesota facilities in Rochester and St. Paul called Hope Lodge. Hope Lodge provides housing during active cancer treatments. All free of charge, this program is funded through free will donations.

 

For those who wish to contribute to a Relay for Life program, individuals can either donate or to become a member you must sign up. You can choose to lead a team or join an existing team in your community, or you can participate solo.

 

Your second step is to get friends and family to join, more people mean more power to fight cancer.

 

Third you would send emails and texts, set up a Facebook fundraiser. There are lots of ways to make money for Relay, their website has resources and suggestions.

 

Lastly you celebrate a get together, virtually or in person at a Relay event. Where survivors can speak and enjoy life and find other like-minded individuals.

 

Anyone wishing to donate money or their time can do so by going to www.relayforlife.org or visit the American Cancer Society’s www.cancer.org. Since 1946, The American Cancer Society has invested more than $5 billion in research, recognizing and providing the funding for innovative researchers, some of whom went on to win the Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking work.