Bigfork Eagle editorial

Beyond expectation

It started with a vision—cancer survivor Susan Taylor's vision. She wanted to bring Relay for Life to Bigfork. Although the undertaking seemed dauntless, Taylor's tenacity paid off.

Enter an inspiring group of individuals who shared this vision. Months of planning and preparation were tackled and accomplishments were made with every meeting. Organizing committees branched off to conquer specific tasks. Teams came together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The event took form.

To see months of your labor become fruition is exciting. To see a community take allegiance for the good of all is overwhelming. Cancer ravages, it consumes, and it discriminates against no one. We have gotten to a point in this world that no one can escape from the disease. If you don't get it, someone close to you will. And there is only one thing to do—fight.

So where does the more than $65,000 Bigfork raised go? It goes toward the development of a cure. It goes to research that will one day eliminate the disease from the planet. It goes to education, so that we can collectively learn more about cancer and its causes. It goes to outreach programs here in the Flathead that help the sick make it to their doctor's appointments or enable women to relearn beauty techniques. The money is hope.

Relay is a realization of benevolence. It is a culmination of hard work and determination. But most of all, Relay is a celebration of survival and an homage to those who succumb. Bigfork not only took up the gauntlet, it exceeded all expectations for a first-year event. That has everything to do with the spirit that dwells within this community. Cancer puts us all on even ground. Rich or poor, old or young, blue collar or white collar, the village became a commonwealth.

So, to those who participated, we salute you. To those who donated, we thank you. To those who have survived, we admire you. To those who have perished, we remember you. To those who fight, we commend you and implore you to continue. Bless you all.