This was the first Relay for Life held in Brown County since 2019, due to the COVID pandemic. This year marked the 25th Relay for Life held in Brown County.

The Brown County Relay for Life is a chance to celebrate survivors, and caregivers and remember those who lost their battle with cancer. The event is also a source of inspiration as cancer survivors can share their stories.

This year’s program began with a speech from cancer survivor Addy Fairbairn who will start her senior year of high school this fall.

Fairbairn was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January 2021, halfway through her sophomore year of high school. By February 2021, she was undergoing chemotherapy, and her weight dropped to 94 pounds.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Survivors: Nearly 20 cancer survivors from all age groups participated in the Brown County Relay for Life.

Fairbairn said it was a difficult time. It felt like her life was at a standstill during hospitalization. Her cancer treatments coincided with the COVID pandemic, meaning the hospital was forced to restrict visitors.

She managed to complete her chemotherapy treatments and was able to return to school in person for her junior year, only to contract COVID and be forced to isolate herself again. Before the year was out, Fairbairn also suffered from liver failure, but against the odds recovered.

“I did not let cancer stop me then, and I am not letting it now,” Fairbairn said. She thanked all those who came out to support cancer her and the other cancer survivors and gave special encouragement to those still battling the disease.

“You are doing amazing,” she said.

American Cancer Society representative Rick Jeddeloh praised Fairbairn for her resilience. Jeddeloh has attended Relay for Life events for 11 years. He said one of the best parts is hearing from people like Fairbairn. As a 12-year cancer survivor himself, Jeddeloh said he is continually inspired.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Hundreds of bag luminarias lined the track for Brown County Relay for Life. Each luminaria carried the name of some one impacted by cancer.

Jeddeloh shared a story of a friend who survived cancer, only to have it return over a decade later. The first time his friend battled cancer it required 40 rounds of chemotherapy. The second time, all it required was a pill a day.

Jeddeloh said the difference between 40 rounds of chemo versus a pill is a difference made possible by Relay for Life fundraising. The money generated from these events is used for cancer research that is continually improving.

Jeddeloh predicted that in the future, cancer will move from being a deadly disease to a chronic illness.

“We will find a way to live with it,” he said. “These events make that possible.”