Moving to the GBHS PAC kept the participants of Relay for Life of Barton County dry and safe from mosquitoes. The event started Friday evening and continued until midnight.

There were 12 teams. The CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions team had eight members, including leader Margaret Dirks, and raised the most money for the American Cancer Society, $7,008 going into the Relay.

Kandi Wolf led a Great Bend Tribune team of five that raised $1,690. Water’s True Value sponsored Jenny Boyer, who raised $161 as a team of one.

Other teams and leaders were: Dominican Sisters and Friends, Judith Lindell; Central Kansas Farm Repair, Karen Riggs; Farmers Bank & Trust, Bobbi LaViolette; Hickel Cuzins & Friends, Rita Hickel; Walmart, Donelle Brungardt; Landmark National Bank, Susan Stricker; Relay Readers, Patty Collins; Central Care Cancer Center, Michelle Robinson; and WheelieWalkers, Mechell Miguel.

Relay For Life symbolizes and honors a cancer patient’s journey, which is why events can last all night. From the shock of initial diagnosis, through days of treatment and the long nights that follow for them, cancer never sleeps, so neither do Relay participants. This year’s Barton County event was originally set to go until 2 a.m. Saturday, but with the move to Panther Activity Center at the high school it was decided to stop at midnight.