Posted: 6/16/04

Kids, too, can make a difference in fight against cancer

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

No one can tell Lindsay Watson she is too young to make a difference.

Watson will be entering her senior year next fall. But sheís not thinking about that too much right now. For the summer, sheís focused on the Forest Lake Relay for Life.

Watson is team captain for the FLY Team. With two angel wings as a logo, FLY, an acronym for Faith Lutheran Youth, is in its second year.

The teenager had been participating in Relay for Life for four years with the Looney Toons (the choir team at Faithóher mom was on it) before deciding to head a team of her own.

ìLast year, I decided I wanted to be a team captain so I got together with some people and we decided we should have a team for youth,î she said.

Last year, there were a dozen members on the FLY team. Recruitment continues for this yearís venture.

ìKids should know theyíre just as important in working to find a cure,î she aid.

Watson shows no signs of stopping. ìI think itís really important to raise money,î she said. ìThere really should be a cure for cancer. Personally, Iíve had a lot of people in my family that had it.î

Indeed, the cause hits the FLY team close to home. Watsonís team member and best friend, Sara Morissette, is a cancer survivor.

ìWeíre all trying to raise money to let people who have cancer know there are kids out there who are trying to help,î she said. ìWeíre there for them. Weíre trying to help them by raising money walking.î

The 11th annual American Cancer Societyís Relay for Life event in Forest Lake is scheduled for August 6-7 at the Forest Lake High School track.

Relay for Life is a community event to raise money for cancer research, awareness, education, advocacy and patient service programs.

Teams of 8-15 people take turns, relay style, walking the track over a 12-hour period. Teams are encouraged to camp out overnight and enjoy entertainment provided during the event.

This event is a celebration of life for survivors, a memorial for loved ones lost and an opportunity for the community to join in the fight against cancer.

There will be 4200 communities hosting Relay for Life events in the United States this year. The events are expected to raise more than $300 million.

To help

Individuals who would like to make a pledge to the American Cancer Society on behalf of the FLY team may do so by making a pledge at the church.

The team coordinator for FLY Team is Jean Piekert. Donations also can be accepted at her workplace, The Yellow Bus in the Lake Shoppes.

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