Commentary; Posted: 8/11/04

Power of persistence shows in Relay for Life

By Cliff Buchan

Never underestimate the power of persistence when a good group of people set off in the same direction with the same goal in mind.

No doubt tired from a long night of walking and some late-morning rain dodging, participants in the 2004 Forest Lake Relay for Life had to be proud individuals, each and every one. And for good reason.

Although faced with a lofty goal of raising $110,000 in this yearís American Cancer Society fund-raiser, the local relay did that and much more. When all the walking was done and all the counting was completed Saturday morning, the 2004 Relay for Life had raised $150,000.

Thatís purely phenomenal. Although the 2003 walk fell somewhat below ACS targets in Forest Lake, this yearís event went far beyond expectations.

It doesnít happen without the work of hundreds of individuals who plan and work the relay and all those who hand over $10 for each luminary in memory of a cancer victim or honoring a friend, neighbor or relative who has survived this dreaded disease.

This yearís event received two major commercial endorsements and contributions that helped create a record.

A vehicle donated by Novak Pontiac, Buick and GMC Truck was credited with bringing in $18,000 via raffle tickets sold at $5 a pop. The Edwards Foundation donation for 2004 accounted for another $15,000. Both were the sparks that this yearís drive needed to make headlines.

The Forest Lake drive was just one of many taking place around the metro area last weekend. According to the ACS, $1 million to aid in research and finding a cure for this disease would be collected.

Finding that cure wonít be easy but it is clear the hundreds upon hundreds of area residents and residents of neighboring communities remain committed to that goal. And with persistence will come good results in the long run.

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