Bloomington, Illinois – June 22, 2019 – Relay For Life of McLean County wrapped up celebrating its 25th annual event at Bloomington High School’s Fred Carlton Field on Saturday, June 22, having had members of 40 teams of between 12-15 people each circle the track for what turned into a rain-shortened event. As a result, the event itself raised $165,000 by its untimely end on Friday night at 11p.m. Although the event was to run from 4:30p.m. Friday through 9a.m. Saturday, the threat of overnight rain forced organizers to conclude the event early.

As a result of the early conclusion, Relay For Life of McLean County expects to hold a “mini Relay” event sometime in July, which will include activities which did not take place at but were planned for this year’s event, such as silent auction, a final “Bank Day” event, and T-shirt pickup for both survivors and others who did not pick up their T-shirts prior to the scheduled event. Planning for the mini-Relay event is currently being worked out and Relay teams and media will be notified shortly on the date, time, and location for that event. All dollars raised from both Friday’s event and the scheduled mini-Relay will be counted toward dollars raised in Fiscal Year 2019 which ends on August 31.

Our targeted goal for money raised at this event is $275,000. “That means we still have time to reach our goal by the end of the fiscal year despite the shortened event,” explained Dede Verplaetse (Ver-PLATES), co-chair of this year’s Relay For Life of McLean County campaign.

As part of this year’s Silver anniversary, Relay For Life of McLean County honored and thanked those companies who have been supportive of our cause from the start in 1994. Those companies and individuals include: WJBC Radio AM 1230/WBNQ Radio FM 101.5/WBWN FM 104.1; Country Financial; Culligan Water; Growing Grounds Gardening Center; Palace Events; Hill Radio; and Paul Swiech, health reporter, Bloomington Pantagraph

We also wish to give special thanks to Avanti’s Italian Restaurant for their continuing support by providing the delicious dinner our Survivors and Caregivers enjoyed prior to the start of Friday’s opening ceremonies.

RELAY 2019 NUMBERS: Relay For Life of McLean County had 40 teams involving 405 registered team members, 200 survivors and 100 caregivers at their annual Relay event. We also had 400 Luminarias honoring those who have survived or lost their courageous battles with cancer. There were also hundreds of additional community members who visited the event. These folks circled the track, heard a moving and inspirational speech from our Honored Survivor, Pattie Taylor of Normal, and celebrated a quarter-century of raising money for this worthy cause.

SINCE WE BEGAN 25 YEARS AGO…: Since it began in McLean County in 1994, and including this year’s event-end amount, Relay For Life of McLean County has raised over $8.5 Million to fight cancer.

Of this year’s event, Verplaetse added, “The rainy weather on Friday hampered our efforts to hold a complete Relay event. But we held what parts of the event we could and our spirits were high throughout.”

More information may be obtained by contacting either Dede Verplaetse at 309-261-5521 or Steve Robinson at 309-242-7838.

Bloomington, Illinois – JUNE 6, 2019 – Relay For Life of McLean County is pleased to announce Normal resident Pattie Taylor been selected as Honored Survivor for 2019. This year’s 16 1/2-hour event will take place at Bloomington High School from 4:30p.m. Friday, June 21 until 9a.m. Saturday, June 22. This year’s Relay theme is “Relay Reunion” because Bloomington High School was the location of the first Relay For Life of McLean County event in 1995.

Pattie’s Story: For Normal resident Pattie Taylor, smoking wasn’t an activity she ever engaged in. Yet, her journey surviving cancer started with a routine chest X-Ray, preparing for a medical procedure on her spine to correct a bulging disc in her neck. That was in 2015.

In March of that year, what should have been a routine step in preparing for that upcoming surgery changed when her doctor asked for a biopsy of her right lung because he detected the presence of a spot on that lung. As a result of that biopsy, Taylor was told she had cancer.

“They told me it was smoker’s cancer,” explained Taylor, 69, and a mother of two and grandmother of six. ”The biopsy said I had smoker’s cancer. I was never a smoker.” Taylor said that meant her cancer was all the result of exposure to second hand smoke.

Prior to this experience, her now adult son contracted and survived cancer at age 4.

Her cancer is in remission and she continues to have regular appointments to monitor her progress. In March 2018, Taylor and her husband were involved in a do-it-yourself project laying hardwood for an all-season room at their house. That involved being on her hands and knees for three days to complete the task.

But a nagging pain in her knee from working the project turned out to be more than just soreness from the labor-intense project. A trip to the doctor showed the cancer had returned and spread to her femur. In September 2018, CAT scans and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRIs, showed Pattie had new tumors. The cancer had metastasized to her brain and left hip. She underwent radiation treatment initially, but now takes chemotherapy in the form of a pill to combat the cancer and will for the rest of her life.

Part of her treatment for that took place at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota where doctors put a rod in her right leg to bolster its strength. Without that rod, any kind of fall or injury to that leg could have caused Pattie to lose the leg. In addition, she also underwent radiation treatments at the Community Cancer Center in Normal, and is currently going through follow-up appointments at Illinois Cancer Care in Bloomington.

For Pattie, there is a lesson she said she learned from the experience she wants to pass along: “Don’t let things be left unchecked,” she said. “I can’t emphasize how important it is to get something checked out rather than think it’s nothing.”

Dede Verplaetse (Pronounced VER-plates), co-chair of this year’s Relay For Life of McLean County campaign couldn’t agree more with Pattie about that. “Cancer can and sometimes does start out with something not feeling right. We would encourage people to see a doctor to determine if there is something more to whatever pain is bothering them. If it turns out to be cancer or cancer-related, the sooner treatment is sought, the better the chances of eliminating it and becoming a cancer survivor.”

LOOKING TO REACH 2019 GOAL OF $275,000: Relay For Life of McLean County hopes to raise $275,000 in 2019 and have at least 85 teams and 400 survivors and 400 caregivers at their annual Relay event. Relay For Life of McLean County will be held from 6 p.m. June 21 to 9 a.m. June 22, 2019, at Bloomington High School. When Relay For Life of McLean County held its inaugural event in 1995, it was held at BHS.

SURVIVOR/CAREGIVER DINNER STARTS AT 4:30 P.M.: A dinner for Survivors and caregivers will take place starting at 4:30p.m.

RADIOTHON TO RAISE MONEY TO BE HELD JUNE 21: Since it began in McLean County in 1995, Relay For Life of McLean County has raised over $8.5 Million to fight cancer. We are looking for more teams to join us in the fight!

On June 21, Radio Bloomington stations WJBC AM 1230, WBWN FM 104.1, and WJBC FM 93.7 will conduct a Radiothon event to help raise money for Relay For Life of McLean County.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Relay For Life wishes to gratefully acknowledge this year’s Sponsors, Bloomington High School, State Farm Insurance, Cumulus Media, Country Financial, and Avanti’s Italian Restaurant, along with all of the other sponsoring businesses and organizations for their dedication to helping us win the fight against cancer.

More information may be obtained by contacting either Dede Verplaetse at 309-261-5521 or Steve Robinson at 309-242-7838.

Bloomington, Illinois – JUNE 6, 2019 – Relay For Life of McLean County is proud to announce it’s welcoming its Relay teams to a reunion for our annual event – our 25th – which will be held on the track around Fred Carlton Field at Bloomington High School. BHS was the very first location where Relay For Life of McLean County’s inaugural event was held in 1995. This year’s event will be run from Friday, June 21 beginning at 4:30p.m. until Saturday, June 22 at 9a.m.

The annual Survivors’ Dinner for cancer survivors and caregivers will take place at 4:30p.m. Our formal opening ceremony, which includes a “Survivors’ Walk,” will begin at 6p.m. Other activities planned include a silent auction and a youth activities area.

Our annual Luminaria ceremony honoring those who have survived and those we’ve lost to cancer will begin at 9p.m. on the track surrounding the football field. Overnight, there will be activities such as Bingo, board games, and other activities.

RADIOTHON TO RAISE MONEY TO BE HELD JUNE 21: On June 21, Radio Bloomington stations WJBC AM 1230, WBNQ FM 101.5, WBWN FM 104.1, and WPBG FM 93.7 will conduct a Radiothon with donations going to Relay For Life of McLean County, explained Dede Verplaetse (VER-plates), one of the event’s co-chairs.

“We are thrilled to be returning to where Relay For Life of McLean County began in 1995,” Verplaetse said. “We love the idea of celebrating our 25th year back where it all began and will celebrate and fight back for the loved ones, friends, and family who are fighting and have lost the fight.”

Currently, there are 35 teams of 12-15 people each signed up to take part in this year’s event, Verplaetse said, adding more folks wanting to help continue the fight are welcomed.

You can learn more about and sign up to get involved at: www.relayforlife.com/mcleanil.

LOOKING TO REACH 2019 GOAL OF $275,000: Relay For Life of McLean County hopes to raise $275,000 in 2019 and have at least 85 teams and 400 survivors and 400 caregivers at their annual Relay event. Relay For Life of McLean County will be held from 6 p.m. June 21 to 9 a.m. June 22, 2019, at Bloomington High School. When Relay For Life of McLean County held its inaugural event in 1995, it was held at BHS.

Since it began in McLean County in 1995, Relay For Life of McLean County has raised over $8.5 Million to fight cancer. We are looking for more teams to join us in the fight!

RADIOTHON TO RAISE MONEY TO BE HELD JUNE 21: On June 21, Radio Bloomington stations WJBC AM 1230, WBWN FM 104.1, and WJBC FM 93.7 will conduct a Radiothon event to help raise money for Relay For Life of McLean County.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Relay For Life wishes to gratefully acknowledge this year’s Sponsors, Bloomington High School, State Farm Insurance, Cumulus Media, Country Financial, and Avanti’s Italian Restaurant, along with all of the other sponsoring businesses and organizations for their dedication to helping us win the fight against cancer.

More information may be obtained by contacting either Dede Verplaetse (VER-plates) at 309-261-5521 or Steve Robinson at 309-242-7838.

Bloomington, Illinois – June 23, 2018 – Relay For Life of McLean County wrapped up its annual event at The Corn Crib in Normal on Saturday, June 23 at 2p.m., having had team members circle a makeshift track on the stadium infield for 24 hours.

As this year’s event concluded Saturday, with a grant from State Farm Bank, our Relay For Life of McLean County ended having raised $255,315 toward its stated goal of $305,000, with money continuing to come in. And because Relay For Life of McLean County will end its fiscal year 2018 on August 31, teams will continue bringing in donations through that date which will help us to achieve that monetary goal of $305,000.

RELAY 2018 NUMBERS: Relay For Life of McLean County had 54 teams involving 405 registered team members and 400 survivors and caregivers at their annual Relay event. There were also hundreds of additional community members who visited the event and enjoyed the survivor dinner, “Fun Zone”, silent auction, live entertainment and other activities.

Since it began in McLean County in 1994, and including this year’s event-end amount, Relay For Life of McLean County has raised over $8.5 Million to fight cancer.

Of this year’s event, Catina Struble, Lead Co-Chair for Relay For Life of McLean County, said, “We are really proud of how engaged our teams were in preparing and participating in this year’s Relay. It shows the degree of commitment and dedication our team members have when it comes to help fight this disease. We are so grateful for the support of Normal Cornbelters and their gift of this beautiful venue.”

More information may be obtained by contacting either Catina Struble 309-706-5367 or Steve Robinson at 309-242-7838.

Bloomington, Illinois – MAY 31, 2018 – Preparing to take a family selfie in October 2017 led to Normal Community West High School student Austin Waller needing treatment for cancer. As the Wallers – mom Amy, dad Scott, daughter Alicia, and son Austin, who will be a junior this fall, closed in for the photo, Scott felt a bump on Austin’s collar bone as he proceeded to hug him. That prompted the Wallers to go to their family Nurse Practitioner the next day.

Upon seeing the bump and taking scans of it, the Nurse Practitioner told the Wallers, “It’s cancer.” A lymphoma more specifically, and ordered Austin and the family who went with him for the initial exam to go immediately to St. Jude Cancer Research Hospital in Peoria for further tests.

After tests were done, doctors at St. Jude admitted Austin for additional tests and blood work. Another couple days went by at which point the physicians wanted to begin chemotherapy. Their diagnosis: Austin had Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in his chest around his breathing muscles and heart. Chemotherapy needed to begin right away, the doctors said.

Austin’s chemotherapy took place for seven days a month for the next two months. Then, for the next two months after that, he had chemo for four days each month. That was followed by a month of radiation treatments in the Chicago area. Austin and the Wallers are currently awaiting his next appointment at St. Jude next month to see where the treatment goes from here.

The treatments he received caused Austin to miss time at school, Amy Waller said. She added the family is appreciative and thankful for the support it received from Normal Community West High School helping him stay current with his studies during his illness.

In addition, Austin also missed out on social activities, as well – namely half of his bowling season. He is in a recreational bowling league at Pheasant Lanes in Bloomington which takes place on Saturday mornings. But once doctors gave him approval to resume normal activities and his chemotherapy sessions were scheduled — including a Saturday –, Austin asked doctors if he could have the Saturday session at 4a.m. That would give him time to get to bowl at 9a.m. The doctors granted his request.

“That’s how much he likes to bowl, and he’d been bowling with the same group for quite a few years,” Amy Waller said about her son.

The Wallers have had a history with Relay For Life of McLean County dating back to when Amy was carrying both her children – she marched as part of a Relay team
headed by Deb O’Connell, Deb’s Mardi Gras Marchers. O’Connell lost her battle with the disease in 2009.

“We are happy to have Austin represent us as our Honorary Youth Survivor,” said Catina Struble, Event Lead for Relay For Life of McLean County. “He showed both courage and poise in his dealing with the disease. His desire to continue normal activities even while going through treatment is a sign of his resiliency – something we believe all those affected by this disease show every day.”

RELAY 2018 START TIME MOVES TO 2P. M. FRIDAY: In addition to a new location, the start time for this year’s Relay has been moved up to Friday afternoon at 2p.m. which will include a “soft” opening at that time where team members can begin circling the course at that time, Wright explained. She said a formal opening ceremony will take place sometime after working hours that day – something else that is a change from previous Relay For Life of McLean County events. The Survivor Walk, which honors current cancer survivors, will follow the formal opening ceremony.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES TO TAKE PLACE BOTH DAYS: This year, Relay For Life of McLean County will “have youth activities for kids to enjoy on both Friday and Saturday,” Wright added.

RELAY 2017 NUMBERS: Relay For Life of McLean County wrapped up it 23rd annual event raising $300,786.47 at the conclusion of the 2017 event and had 70 teams comprised of 657 participants, and 220 survivors and caregivers at their annual Relay event, held from 4p.m.June 23 to 4p.m. June 254, 2017, at Normal Community High School.

Since it began in McLean County in 1994, Relay For Life of McLean County has raised over $8.3 Million to fight cancer.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RELAY 2018: Find out more about getting involved with Relay For Life of McLean County. You can find a link to our Relay by visiting www.relayforlife.org/mcleanil.

More information may be obtained by contacting either Catina Struble 309-706-5367 or Steve Robinson at 309-242-7838.