By: Lindsey Rowland
Lrowland@wbcowqel.com

For the second year in a row, the Wynford High School Sports Complex was buzzing with activity as the 2014 Relay for Life began its annual celebration and remembrance Friday evening.

The opening ceremony, with Debbi Gifford presiding as the emcee, served as the kickoff to the event at 6 p.m., and will run through Saturday morning.

After the raising of the flag by the American Legion of Bucyrus, the National Anthem performed by United in Harmony, and an invocation led by Pastor Mike Corwin of Bucyrus United Methodist Church, Interim Bucyrus Mayor Sis Love took the podium, stating that Relay for Life is a time when “Everybody can be somebody else’s hero.”

“Each and every one of us has been touched by cancer in some way,” Love stated. “Today we come together and fight.”

The Relay Committee, led by Danielle Weisenhaur, was announced and thanked for their dedication to the event and to, ultimately, finding a cure for cancer. Weisenhaur, who actually started as a team captain before coming on as co-chair, says, “I think it’s about giving back to the community and this is part of my way to help the community.”

A special dedication was given for the late Bucyrus Mayor Roger Moore. Moore, who was a devoted champion for the Relay, deeply believed in the survivors and what the whole event stood for.

There was further recognition of those who had lost their battles to cancer; including a poem reading by Lynn Chime entitled “You’d Better Slow Down” in honor of her late mother, Sunny Kirk. Kirk had copied the poem once when Moore had presented it, and Chime used it as an example of why we should enjoy every moment and to take our time, because it’s limited.

While Relay for Life is a time of reflection and remembrance, it is also a time to celebrate those who are fighting and surviving. The 2014 Honorary Survivors were: Stefanie Rich, Sara Sharp and 5-year-old Wyatt Esno, who is a three time cancer survivor and warrior.

Rich, Sharp, and Esno led the charge as the survivors took their lap to a chorus of cheers from everyone in the stadium, sharing their triumph and looking forward to a world with no cancer and more birthdays. Esno even sprinted across the finish line.

The rest of Relay for Life included fun things such as the infamous Miss Relay contest, Jenga, Cake Walk, and Luminaria service, among many more. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the closing ceremonies which take place at 11:30 am on Saturday.