By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

While other Relay For Life events are falling by the wayside, Marion County’s event is holding strong thanks to participation and sponsorship.

Melissa Easterburg, American Cancer Society community manager for a 10-county region, said some events have been sunsetted because they have lost supporters and sponsors. Just this year, Harvey County’s event folded.

Marion County still has a strong base of support, Easterburg said.

Ten teams showed up to walk the track at Warrior Stadium in Marion and raise money with sales and games.

Among them were several cancer survivors and supporters.

Jim Moore was there for his son.

“My son had cancer in 2013 when he was 19,” Moore said.

A survivor, Luke Moore is now assistant football coach at Groves City College in Groves City, Pennsylvania, his father said.

Margie Sandwell, coordinator of Surviving Angels and Helpers team, had cancer of the colon that metastasized to her liver and lymph nodes.

“I’m a survivor of 21 years,” Sandwell said.

Ralph Kreutziger, of McPherson, was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia in 2002, whipped it in 2008, and then was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008.

Groups raised money by holding silent auctions; sponsoring games such as ring toss, face painting, and fishing; and selling baked goods, shaped crayons, jewelry, bandanas, masks, raffle tickets, and hats.

The six-hour event lasted from 5 to 11 p.m.