Local volunteers from the Cancer Network of Sanders County recently launched 60 lanterns into the night sky over Plains in celebration of cancer survivors and in memory of those that have passed on from cancer.

John Clark purchased the lantern kits and donated them to the CNSC for resale. Cheyenne Cirolia, Paula Ivy and Brian Reed, board members of CNSC, helped assemble the lanterns, while volunteers Laura and Scott Pickering and Kathy Miller launched them.

Each lantern was sent up with the name and message of a loved one written on its side and was purchased for $10. Lantern sales for the evening were $600 and will be gifted to individuals undergoing cancer treatment in Sanders County.

CNSC has gifted 69 individuals between January 2022 through October 2022 with each receiving $900 for a total of $62,100. Organized in 2001, CNSC has given $858,500 to those with Cancer.

CNSC is a nonprofit organization that supports residents of Sanders County who are undergoing treatment for Cancer.

Those needing assistance from CNSC can find forms at all medical clinics financial institutions, Rehbein Ford, St. Patrick Center, Community Hospital Cancer Center, Kalispell Regional Health Center, The Health Department in Thompson Falls and Johnson’s Hardware in Noxon or call them at 406-970-6242. Applicants must show proof of treatment.