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Night of Hope a memorable evening

One couldn't ask for a more fitting start to this year's Night of Hope Walk for Cancer.

The storm clouds had just dissipated and the late-afternoon sun emerged. Warm golden light shined down on the estimated 400 attendees in Legion Park on Friday evening.

Boy Scout Troop 90 raised the flag on the bridge over the pond, and the Sidney Singers led the national anthem, giving voice to the mood of optimism which permeated the event.

"Every year, we get a challenge with the clouds rolling in," said Brenda Noel, president of the Night of Hope Foundation. "But for some reason, they clear off and we can have our event."

The Night of Hope Cancer Walk is an occasion for collective remembrance of those who have died of cancer, but it is also a celebration of those who continue to thrive.

Smiles, laughter and even a sense of pride shone on the faces of cancer survivors as they gathered on the north side of the bridge in preparation for the Survivors' Lap. Sidney's Danz Team greeted each survivor with a white balloon.

The group traveled the path around the pond, passing each of the 305 luminaries purchased by loved ones and decorated with names and messages of celebration or memorial.

Kneeling individuals or families on the path became a common sight during the Night of Hope, as they sought out luminaries with their loved one's names.

"HOPE" in big white letters emblazoned the side of the bridge to which the survivors returned after their lap. Many walked, some rode in wheelchairs, and others used walkers amid the applause and encouragement of onlookers.

Back on the bridge, the white balloons walkers held were released into the sky, all at once. The bright, sunlit balloons contrasted dramatically against the backdrop of the dark storm passing into the east. And just then, a rainbow appeared.

The Night of Hope Foundation, a volunteer-driven organization, was established in 2002 with the purpose of improving the lives of cancer patients in Cheyenne County and nearby towns.

Funds are raised through various means throughout the year, including donations gathered by teams formed by area residents. Often, teams are formed in support of a particular individual currently contending with cancer.

Will Castner, 16, has led teams for two years in a row, each time supporting an individual who has touched his life. He finds much value in the Night of Hope Walk.

"I love this night. It's a great night," he said. "It's so well run. And I love the social aspect of it."

This year, he led Team Kelly in support of Kelly Price. A year ago, he led Team Jann, in support of Jann Lawler.

Lawler died just a few months ago from pancreatic cancer.

Outstanding supporters were awarded with plaques at the event. The Supporter of the Year award is given to an individual or business in recognition of its exceptional advocacy of the Night of Hope.

This year, there were three recipients of the award:

Eleanor Plummer of Imagine That was the first to be recognized.

"Every year, without even being asked," Noel told the crowd, "she calls and says, 'What's your theme?' And within a week, we have an awesome advertising window."

The second award was given to Jerry and Diann Steffens who, Noel said, when they were asked for support, never turned the Foundation away.

The third recipient of the Supporter of the Year award was presented to Suzy Ernest and staff at KSID radio. Their volunteering to raise funds, helping emcee the Night of Hope, and getting the word out about the walk was warmly appreciated.

Awards were also presented to the three teams which had raised the most money for the cause throughout the year:

In first place, raising $8,530 was TE Connectivity, headed by Dean Rood; in second place with $1,770 was "Escape with Michelle," led by Michelle Woodman; and in third place, raising $1,035 was "We Walk as One to Be Cancer Free," headed by Laurie Batterman and Rhonda Rummel.

The "Chair-ity" auction, in its second year at the Night of Hope, has become a crowd favorite at the event. Local businesses and individuals had donated a total of 30 chairs, some small, some large, each with items included and set to a theme.

Many curious spectators squeezed in next to serious bidders as fast-talking auctioneer Wade Dickerson invited bids for each of the chairs. His efforts helped to rope in more than $4,000 for the cause.

Generosity was prevalent throughout the evening.

Charlotte Steffens, whose husband suffered from cancer, bid on and won two chairs during the "Chair-ity" auction. She bought them for the cause, not for the chairs, she said.

Michelle Woodman, three-time cancer survivor and leader of the team "Escape with Michelle," also bid on and won a chair, then offered to give it away to another bidder.

"It's just a matter of giving back – an act of kindness," she explained.

Cheyenne County Rodeo Queen McKenzie Hixon and her Lady-in-Waiting Alyssa Powell gave their time serving a barbecue supper of pulled pork, a meal to coincide with the official theme of this year's event: "Ropin' Hope – Giving Cancer the Boot!"

Fox Theatre joined with Coca-Cola to provide free pop to attendees and sold popcorn and cotton candy by donation. Night of Hope received 100 percent of the proceeds from these sales, which totaled $636.

Groups and individuals surrounded the pond all evening, talking, holding hands and hugging, all of them affected by cancer in one way or another.

U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith, featured speaker for the night, spent a few minutes speaking to the crowd after the auction. He expressed appreciation for being given the opportunity to attend the event.

"I'm grateful to be part of an evening where the foundation is raising money to do great things," he said.

Cancer had not left his family untouched, Smith revealed. Close family members had battled with it, including his grandfather, whom he said was most responsible for his involvement with public service.

But Smith sees a bigger picture, feeling confident that a cure will be found.

"Together," he said, "I think we can look forward to a brighter future."

As dusk fell, people gathered near the projection screen in anticipation of viewing images of their friends and loved ones.

Heartwarming and inspirational songs began to fill the evening air as photographs of people who had passed or who were currently enduring the disease lit up the screen.

Some viewers stood, others sat on the grass – most were rapt. Phones or cameras were used to record the slides. Individuals could be heard whispering about people on screen whom they had known.

As the last slide faded away, tears were also wiped away.

The glowing luminaries surrounding the pond each displayed a name of a person, placed there by someone who loved that person.

Suzy Ernest recited each name on the luminaries, 245 in all.

In total, the Night of Hope Foundation raised $41,493 to benefit cancer patients this year.

Doug Loghry of MIB Music Productions and one of the emcees of the event, encapsulated the sentiment of the evening as the survivor's balloons floated off into the sky.

"You have a rainbow behind you, sunshine in front of you," he said. "What could be better?"

 

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