At 5 p.m. on Friday, June 24 at the Superior High School track, some of Mineral County’s most loved citizens were in the limelight. This was when the 2016 Mineral County Relay for Life commenced with a celebratory reception for Mineral County cancer survivors.

The Relay for Life is unofficially the second largest event of the summer, where hundreds of people celebrate the victories and memories of those we have lost to cancer. Despite a cold and rainy evening, teams participated and showed their support for this important cause, raising about $21,000.

This years Silent Auction was organized by the Mineral Community Hospital Relay for Life Team and had a wide assortment of donations to bid on from dinners, to camping equipment, to gift certificates from the many kind donors who support this event.

Music, food and entertainment have always been a strong footing of the relay and this year was no different. The highlight of every Relay for Life seems to be the Luminary Ceremony which takes place at 10 p.m. on Friday.

Besides the many teams participating who have been seeking donations, this segment is one of the biggest fundraising parts with each luminary at $10 or 2 for $15 and are purchased right up to 8 p.m. These are to honor those we have lost or those who have survived cancer.

It has an emotional effect on those in attendance and many people come to the relay just to see this before the evening closes at midnight.

Mineral County has 4,200 residents in a county that is the size of Delaware. Over ninety percent of the land is either state or federally owned. Yet, per capita, we continue to raise an impressive amount for the American Cancer Society through the Relay for Life.

What is not necessarily known is throughout the year, Relay for Life conducts benefits for individuals who fight cancer and provide transportation to those who need care in Missoula. There are many people behind the scenes, as in most places, doing what needs to be done to make County 54 sparkle.