Survivors take the first lap at Relay for Life to start the festivities. Survivors were met halfway on the track by their caregivers or someone from their support system.

Rugby’s Relay for Life was held last Friday at Johnsen Field. A total of $58,468 has been raised so far, bringing the Relay team’s new goal to $60,000.

The Relay started at 5:30 p.m. with the Community Supper being served by the Rugby Jaycees, followed by the opening ceremony welcome, invocation and the national anthem.

Cindy Volk, a four-time survivor, was the honorary speaker for this year’s Relay. Her empowering and encouraging speech brought high emotions to the crowd, which reveled at her enthusiasm and gratitude for life. Volk spoke about each of her battles with cancer and gave multiple reasons why she ultimately feels okay about fighting this disease. Her main reason being that God is always in control, and she trusts Him throughout everything.

Senior Community Manager with the Relay for Life Laurie Odden said some of her favorite parts about the event are the Community Supper, the Luminaria Ceremony in which candles held in bags are lit to honor loved ones who have passed from or are still fighting the disease and the survivor speaker’s speech.

“The survivor speaker is really the best part of the Relay because it connects the community to why they’re there,” Odden said.

Despite a few sprinkles of rain, the Relay was a great success. Every event planned still happened, including the fireworks show, the glow run and the silent auction. Some of the other fun activities throughout the night included Bra Pong, “Pop Cancer”, a scavenger hunt, temporary tattoos, and a jail cell provided by the Rugby Police Department in which people could be arrested and bailed out.

“We try to make it fun for everyone,” Shelly Block, one of the committee members for the Relay said, “Our goal now is to raise more money.”

There were 17 teams in this year’s Relay, with McIntyre/Moller Family raising the most amount of money at $8,771. Truckin for A Cure was right behind with a total of $8,287. Daryl’s Refrigeration Chillers raised a total of $6,276, Northern Equipment raised $3,891, and Event Planning raised $3,410 to make them the fifth highest totaling team.

As for the individuals, Yvette Rozmarynowski raised the most with $5,120. Angie Busch raised $3,355, Kari Hill raised $1,638, Terri Jacobson raised $1,434, and Darci Gross raised a total of $1,372.

Gross said she relays because she wants to find a cure. “We really appreciate all of the support the community has given us,” she added.

The Relay wrap-up meeting will be held on Monday, June 13 at 7 p.m. at Dakota Farms. Odden encourages the entire community to come out and discuss this year’s Relay, as well as talk about ideas for next year. Community members can still donate to the cause and help reach Rugby’s new goal of $60,000.