Cheryl Retterath first got involved with Relay for Life in 1994 after her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She’s been doing it ever since.

“Every year at the end, when I’m totally exhausted, I think, ‘I don’t know if I can do this again,’” she said.

But by the time the next year comes around, Retterath, who’s on the Relay committee, is looking forward to beating last year’s total. And with $1,800 raised from her efforts alone, the Aug. 4-5 Relay for Life is off to a promising start. The event runs from 3 p.m. Saturday to 7:30 a.m. Sunday at the Veterans Pavilion at Bandshell Community Park in Austin.

Retterath suffered from basil cell skin cancer two years ago. She had surgery, followed up with several exams afterward and ended up making it through the disease.

“Mine was very short-termed compared to some,” she said.

Before that, her husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2003, giving Retterath extra motivation to keep active in Relays.

So far, participation in the county’s upcoming events looks to be booming. Almost 200 people attended the Survivor’s Dinner, which was held last week at St. Augustine Catholic Church.

Financially, organizers are seeing the same enthusiasm.

“We are up from where we were a year ago at this time,” Retterath said of the total fundraising effort. She herself has already exceeded the general team goal, which is to raise $1,000.

“I’m very happy with that,” she said.

There are 20 teams participating in this year’s event, and while the teams can be any number of people, the average size is usually a little more than 10 people.

Some teams are families that have been affected by cancer, while others are a group of people who banded together in memory of a lost friend. Others are work groups or different organizations that wanted to play a part.

While it’s too late to form any new teams at this point, people are still welcome to donate to the cause. Money raised can be turned in at the event, and luminaria can be purchased and dedicated to either to someone who survived cancer or someone who did not.

“If they’re written in black, it means they’re not a survivor of cancer,” Retterath said.

For those who can’t make the event at all, there’s still an opportunity to raise money for the cause.

“Any funds raised during the whole month of August still count toward our monthly goal,” she said.

During Relay, there will also be a live auction and silent auction to raise money, plus a number of food vendors who will contribute.

“They’re all donating toward the cause,” Retterath said.

Activities such as games, a water slide and a dunk tank will also be included to help raise money.

“We’re so privileged because we have The Hormel Institute close at hand looking for cures for cancer,” she said. “The Mayo Clinic is another big contributor, and the University of Minnesota also. We’re in a good area for research.”

 

Relay for Life

What: Mower County 2012 Relay for Life.

When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 (opening ceremony at 6 p.m.) through 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 5.

Where: The Veterans Pavilion at Bandshell Community Park in Austin.

Why: To raise money for cancer research.

 

Main stage entertainment

Opening Remarks — 3 p.m.

30’s – 40’s Movie and Show Tunes with Sarah Lysne, Suzanne Rymer, Susan Hayes and Jum Ruud — 3:15 p.m.

Live auction — 4:15 p.m.

Mayo Clinic Mobile Research Unit/ACS Cancer Action Network — 5:30 p.m.

Opening Ceremony — 6 p.m.

Jim King — 7 p.m.

Austin Big Band — 8 p.m.

Luminaria ceremony — At dusk

 

Other events

Silent Auction in Veterans’ Pavilion — 3 to 8 p.m.

Children’s Games — 3 to 6 p.m.

Skinners Hill Water Slide — 3 to 6 p.m.

Live Auction on Main Stage — 4:15 to 5:30 p.m.

Opening ceremony — 6 p.m.

Masters of Ceremony: Rusty Dawkins and Melanie Bloom, KAAL-TV

Opening prayer: Pastor Shari Mason

Color Guard presentation: Pledge to Flag, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus

National anthem: Sarah Lysne

Welcome: Honorary chairpersons Mike Simmons and Megan Tapp

Southland drumline: Leads the survivor lap and balloon release

Corporate recognition: Linda Baier, event chair

Team recognition/lap

Team photos: In pavilion