By all accounts, the second year of the Big Horn County Relay for Life event Friday night was a roaring success, more than doubling the amount of money raised for the American Cancer Society from a year ago.
More than 400 people participated in this year’s fund-raising event staged at the Lovell High School track, raising more than $51,000 for the Cancer Society.
The event keeps surpassing all expectations. The goal set by the American Cancer Society for last-year’s inaugural event was 10 teams and $10,000, but the event drew 15 teams that raised more than $22,000, what organizer’s called an “astounding” total.
This year, 23 teams registered for the Relay and raised the more than $51,000 as teams worked hard raising money prior to the event, then turned out in droves to walk the Lovell High School track, filling the football field at Robertson Stadium with camps and games.
Team members, organizers and members of the public braved unseasonably chilly air and enjoyed the festive atmosphere that included a grand opening ceremony, a survivors’ and caregivers’ walk, the introduction of teams and team captains, the lighting of luminarias, a silent auction, food, a poignant slide show, live music, dancing and various contests throughout the night.
Members of the Relay committee included co-chairpersons Vicky Asay and Karen Fowler, Denise Harrison, Shelly Lohof, Robin Baxendale, Colleen Tippetts, Natalie Wambeke, Jennifer Leonhardt, Shauna Hillman, Carol Fink, Kristy Baxendale, Kelli Hoblit, Margo Doerr and Christy Ellis.
“I think the Relay was an incredible success,” said Robin Baxendale, speaking for the entire committee. “The survivors and caregivers, teams, luminaria ceremony, the food, the entertainment – everything was so touching and wonderful. The high school was the perfect place for the event, and Denise Harrison and Shelly Lohof were instrumental in getting everything approved and lined out for us.”
Baxendale said the committee members were “completely shocked” when the $51,000 total was announced, noting that the Relay “far exceeded the goals we had set in our minds.”
The team entitled “Rozy’s Troops” raised more than $8,000 alone through sales of caramel corn, baked goods, “Hope” T-shirts and stars.
“This community is just amazing,” she said. “This concludes our second year, and once again, we learned a lot. We will again tweak the programs to make things even better for next year.”
Baxendale said a few technical difficulties left the event running behind schedule, but she said people were patient and understanding. As the committee learns what people want, the event will get better each year, she said.
“I apologize to those teams and individuals who were ready to participate in a game or (special) lap that didn’t take place,” said Baxendale, the entertainment chairman. “I was a little ambitious this year and tried to cram in way too many things.
“We just thank each and every one who was involved in any way. This is truly a county-wide effort, and we are so pleased that so many people went above and beyond for this worthwhile cause.”
Baxendale said the committee’s hearts go out to the family and friends of Marilyn Tippetts, who lost her battle with cancer the day before the Relay on Thursday, Aug. 14, as well as to anyone else who lost someone so close to the time of the event.
“It just proves that cancer really never does sleep,” Baxendale said, “and we need to continue to take up the fight every day.”

After the posting of the colors by members of the Wyoming National Guard and the singing of the National Anthem by Deb May, Greybull Pastor Dave Seratt of Grace Fellowship read portions of the testimony of Tony Snow, the former White House press secretary who recently lost his life to cancer, that was printed in “Christianity Today.”
John Vipperman, PA-C, a physician’s assistant with the Hematology-Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies in Cody, gave the keynote address and, as he did last year, presented a message of hope for those battling cancer and their loved ones.
“”Hope is really all we have,” Vipperman said. “We need it on a day-to-day basis.
“I want my kids to not know what cancer was and us to say, ‘Remember when we used to worry about cancer? I’m glad we figured it out and beat it.’”
Vipperman urged all in attendance to get screened and treated, work for a healthy environment and work with government leaders to promote funding for cancer research…I encourage everyone to continue the fight.”
Teams participating in the 2008 Big Horn County Relay for Life and their captains included Armstrong Home Inspections, Sandy Armstrong; Bahama Mammas and Papas, Kirsten Bryson; Bank of Lovell, Mary Matthews; Big Horn Federal, Natalie Wambeke; Brave Hearts, Scott O’Tremba;
Cool Runnings, Rhonda Savage; Costa Rica, Lenora Kummerfeld; Eleutian Technology, Bobbie Brown; Hoffnung, Gwen Walker; Holland’s Tulips, Cheri Mickelson; Ireland’s Irish Spirit, Gordon Friede; Lil Italians, Christy Jolley; MJ Hillman Consulting, Mary Hillman; Mountain Climbers, Parthena Thompson; Neverland, Suzette Johnson; Oasis Bar, Jelli McIntosh;
Purplefoot Tribe, Al Cheatham; Rocky Mountain/Lovell Cross Country teams, John Bernhisel; Rozy’s Troops, Shauna Hillman; S.E. Inc., Cindy Phillips; Team Australia, Denise Harrison; Team Halliburton, Mason Fowler; Team New Zealand, Kelli Hoblit.
John Bernhisel said the Lovell and Rocky Mountain cross country teams and coaches ran 182 1/2 miles during the Relay for Life.
Sponsors for the Relay for Life this year included:
Gold sponsors – Big Horn Federal, Georgia-Pacific, TCT West, Basin Republican Rustler, Greybull Standard, Lovell Chronicle and the Big Horn Radio Network.
Silver sponsors – Bentonite Performance Minerals, Haskell Furniture, North Big Horn Hospital and SE Inc.
Bronze sponsors – Lovell Civic Action Group, Red Apple, First National Bank and Trust, GK Construction, S&L Industrial, Country Store, Rocky Mountain Power, Queen Bee Gardens, Lovell Drug, Ron’s Food Farm.