Locals prepare for Relay for Life

Cancer survivors and those dedicated to fighting the disease met in Pocatello on Wednesday to kick-off the preparations for this year’s Relay for Life.

Relay for Life Executive Committee member Brenda Swindle said cancer is a challenge that’s touched the lives of just about everyone in some way or another.

“Whether it’s immediate family, themselves, or a close relative, friend, family or church member. Everyone knows someone, so they want to do their part to help,” Swindle said.

Robert Haidle signed up for the Relay for Life f the first time this year.

He wore an eye-catching tiedye outfit to draw atttention to the problem and to indicate the many different kinds of cancer.

“It’s all out of love, and trying to get that awareness out. We’ve got an epidemic going on, and we need to find a cure,” Haidle said.

Haidle said he hopes taking part in the Relay for Life will encourage others to get themselves checked out and find signs of cancer while it can be easily treated.

“I had a sign of stomach cancer, caught it in time. I’ve got many family members that have passed on from cancer, and many friends with cancer,” Haidle said.

All money raised by the Relay for Life goes to the American Cancer Society, but organizers said they want people to know that much is used to help people close to home.

“It goes to not only the researchers and many of the doctors who have won prizes. But it also goes in our local area, like our cancer treatment center,” Swindle said.

Last year the Pocatello Relay for Life raised $157,000.

The 2013 Pocatello Relay for Life is scheduled for July 12-13.