Posted: 8/4/04
Sharon Gallagher, Relay for Life chairwoman, is calling the 2004 event a success with many exclamation points. The event held last Friday night at Tanger Outlet Center raised $87,000.
The money was raised with 36 teams and 12 corporate sponsors.
The top five teams were:
ï First National Bank of North Branch - $8,048
ï Caryl & Company, North Branch - $7,304,85
ï St. Gregoryís Catholic Church, North Branch - $4,919
ï Reider Machines, North Branch - $4,189
ï Plastech Corporation, Rush City - $3,547
The top individual fund-raiser was Rachel Dick of North Branch, a member of the Reider Machine team. She raised $2,130.
The event began under threatening skies but the weather cleared for a cool night of vigilant walking around the track lighted by luminaries.
Many touching stories were spelled out on the white paper bag which held a long-burning candle. Some recognized those who lost their battles while others honored those who have survived.
The survivors who arrived for the special reception at 6 p.m. were given a purple survivor t-shirt and 2004 survivorís pin. At the end of the brief opening ceremony, the survivors released monarch butterflies supplied by Stanley Tanger, a symbolic gesture to send their secret wish for healing and love into the sky.
Numbering more than 70, the survivors each received a pink rose provided by North Branch Floral and the Flower Shop and then took the first lap of the evening.
Corporate sponsors were recognized with a plaque. Totalled, they donated $18,000 for the event as follows:
Stanley K. Tanger - $5,000
First National Bank - $2,500
University of Minnesota physicians - Radiation Therapy Center - $2,500
Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center - $1,000
G & K Builders - $1,000
Ken Rindahl Builders, Inc. - $1,000
Nelsonís Market - $1,000
North Branch Furniture Outlet - $1,000
Plastech Corporation - $1,000
Reider Machine, Inc. - $1,000
Milcon, Inc. - $500
Andersen Windows - $500
The Radiation Therapy Center attached to the Fairview Medical Center in wyoming opened in April. Cancer patients can now receive their radiation therapy at this center instead of traveling to the cities.
The Relay for Life committee would like to thank the corporate sponsors, team and team captains, survivors and the community for their energy, enthusiasm and support of the Relay event. They believe that with this support one day there will be a cure.
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