Relay for Life balloon makes it 900 miles in one day

Balloons from last month’s Mower County Relay for Life have been found in several different places around the United States. The farthest balloon was found 900 miles away in Pennsylvania.

“I just find it amazing that people are inspired by this,” Event Chair Linda Baier said.

Although this was Baier’s last year as event chair, she was still excited to see the messages come in from people who had found the balloons. Four balloons had been found as of Aug. 6, and Baier said she didn’t think there would be many more.

“Four, I think, is the most we’ve ever had returned in one year, but it’s possible,” Baier said.

One year, a balloon was returned several months after the event, after it was found after a yard clean-up.

About 250 balloons were released during the July 26 Relay for Life. Not all of them had personal messages attached, but one balloon received a special message back.

Dick Buechner released a balloon that read, “Hooray; three years out,” on the tag. The balloon was found on a tree farm near Dodgeville, Wisconsin, on a ridge near a large white pine tree.

The return message from those who found it read, “We give a big hooray back to Mr. Buechner.”

“It’s always fun for the people that put the message on the balloon,” Baier said. “I’m sure that just boosts his hope that he will remain cancer free; it just gives them that extra bit of hope.”

Buechner was the honorary chair for the event two years ago, according to Baier. She said many of the messages they have received have held cancer stories of their own.

“I really enjoy it that people take the time to respond,” Baier said. “It just kind of restores your feelings that there are good people out there and they care.”

Some of the balloons organizers have received have been from the Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania area, and last year they found one in Canada near Niagara Falls.

“They generally go right around 1,000 miles or so,” Baier said. “Which when you think about it, it is pretty amazing.”

This year’s Relay for life hosted 20 teams and raised about $84,000.

The four balloons

• On July 27, organizers received word that a balloon released from the event was found in Patton, Pennsylvania — about 900 miles from Austin.

• On July 28, a balloon was found in a tree on a farm in Curtice, Ohio — about 634 miles from Austin.

• On July 30, a balloon released by Dick Buechner, which read “Hooray; three years out,” on the tag, was found on a tree farm near Dodgeville, Wisconsin — about 177 miles from Austin.

• On Aug. 2, The balloon from Wayne Rustad was found in Canfield, Ohio — about 780 miles from Austin.

 — Mileage projections based on www.mapquest.com.