Relay for Life Team Using Their Experiences to Help in Fighting Cancer

FAIRBURY - "I got involved right from the beginning because I lost my mother and one of my best friends within a year and a half of each other, from cancer." Diane Schutt is using her personal loss to help in finding a cure for others. October is a big month for the Jefferson County Relay for Life team and the community is invited to help out by sharing a cup of tea with a Witch or Wizard. Schutt says, "Witches' Tea was an idea that one of our members came up with, a male actually, and I think he saw something online. He knows women and just thought it was something (I would) like." The event was so popular last year, the team decided to bring it back. "Anybody that was there said, 'This was great!' Julie Katz, very graciously, donates the space for us to do that." Julie Katz is the owner of the Stagecoach Mall and Tasting Room in Fairbury. Businesses also have the chance to "Scare Away Cancer" with a monster poster on their doors. The Relay for Life team hopes the community will show their support once again in fighting an illness that causes so much destruction and devastation. "Cancer is the number two killer, so most of the people involved in this have got a personal connection. They've lost a significant family member or friends, or both - several family members." Schutt says the team is always looking to support, not only the families affected by cancer, but the community as a whole. She appreciates those who always show up, no matter the event or time of the year. "We can't always keep track. It seems like, when one relay ends - and we kind of recover from that, then immediately we're thinking about we can do for next year to make it different and better." The Relay for Life of Jefferson County team is leading the fight, they only need help in getting there.