Apple Valley Relay for Life Continues Building in 11th Year

Since Patty Gerrits was 13 years old, cancer was a part of her life. As she grew up, and into her adulthood, she saw many family members—mother, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins—battle the disease. 

Thirteen years ago, Gerrits, who works in the guidance office at Eastview High School, was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

She went through treatment “and everything that goes along with that,” and beat the disease. Then, seven years ago, she was diagnosed again, this time with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and she had to do it all over again.

Fortunately, Gerrits can say “So far, so good.”

Gerrits is one of the organizers of Apple Valley’s Relay for Life, an all-night American Cancer Society event scheduled to begin Friday evening at .

Participants in the 11th Apple Valley event will celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who lost their battles with cancer and pledge to fight against cancer; the international event is also a base for American Cancer Society fundraising efforts.

“The one thing that I really liked about the Relay for Life … not only is it community-based, but it encompasses all cancer survivors,” Gerrits said.

One thing that has changed about the relay since Apple Valley event chairman Ted Williams began his involvement in the 1990s, he said, is that cancer survival rates have increased.

“Nowadays, it’s more a celebration of life,” Williams said.

Organizers are hoping for 200 people at this year’s relay, and to raise $35,000. About 17 teams pre-registered for the event, Williams said.

After the opening ceremony and cancer survivors’ lap around the Eastview track at 7 p.m., participants stay awake and participate in various activities through 6 a.m. Saturday. Even those who aren’t signed up for a team can come to the event, where there will be more fundraising opportunities, Williams said, including a silent auction.

Cancer survivors attend a special survivors dinner prior to the opening ceremony; the luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. is one of the most moving parts of the evening, Gerrits said, as participants honor loved ones lost among a display of lit, decorated bags.

Jess Hodgson, a stay-at-home mom in Apple Valley and assistant coach of ’s softball team, will be this year’s honorary survivor at the event.

Hodgson was diagnosed with stage-three Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in March of last year, just six days after her second son was born. After going through several months of treatment, she had to spend 28 days at Mayo Clinic, away from her sons. She had a bone marrow transplant on Jan. 4, and is now cancer-free.

She participated in Relay for Life last year with a team from her turbokick class at the Burnsville YMCA, she said.

“It’s just a very positive event,” Hodgson said. “They make everything about it very positive.”

If it weren’t for Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society’s contributions to research, Hodgson wouldn’t be cancer-free, she said.

The event also provides a support network for survivors, those battling the disease and friends and family affected by cancer, she said.

“There are times when it’s hard to talk to people who don’t know what you’re going through,” Hodgson said. “It helps a lot to know you’re not the only one.”

“It’s amazing how the world opens up in your neighborhood,” Gerrits said. “It’s nice to be able to be there to support each other." Receiving support through the emotional time of finding out you've beaten the disease and moving on from there is also beneficial, she said.

Gerrits is now back in school, working toward her bachelor’s degree in human services; she previously tried twice to go back to school, but was diagnosed with cancer both times and wasn’t able to finish.

She said it’s important for cancer patients to be advocates for themselves. Her mantra, not just during her battle with cancer but for her entire life: “There’s always hope.”

“Cancer is not necessarily a death sentence,” she said. “It’s hard to hear the words … but you have to hold on to hope.”

See the attached schedule of events for more information about this year's Relay for Life events.