A 15-year-old who was diagnosed with spinal cancer and brain cancer will be honored by his family -- a team of 21 people who will walk throughout the night at the Wadena County Relay for Life.
Ryan Carkhuff and members of "Hope for Ryan," have been named the torchbearers for the 13th annual Relay for Life Aug. 11 at Sunnybrook Park in Wadena. Angie Burke of Wadena is the team captain for "Hope for Ryan."
Carkhuff, of Shakopee, is Burke's cousin. His dad, Mike Carkhuff, grew up in Wadena and still has family here, Burke said.
"We started the team because we thought it would be the best way to help him, because we can't be there to take him to appointments," she said.
Ryan Carkhuff was diagnosed with cancer in March but hasn't let the diagnosis get him down.
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"He has the best attitude, such a good attitude," Burke said.
He had good news recently. Three weeks ago, he had a magnetic resonance imaging test and everyone was very happy with the results, Burke said. He will undergo chemotherapy for 10 months with five days of intensive treatment and then 21 days off, she said.
The way the schedule is for chemotherapy, Carkhuff should be able to attend the Relay for Life in Wadena, Burke said. His 16th birthday is the day before the relay, so it will be an exciting day, she said.
Margaret VanErp, Relay for Life event chair, said a committee began meeting in mid-May to plan the event. This year, 17 teams are signed up to walk in Relay for Life.
This year's speaker is Dr. Wade Swenson, an oncologist from Fergus Falls. Swenson is the visiting oncologist for Tri-County Hospital in Wadena. Heidi Hansen will play bagpipes again this year.
Something new this year is colored shirts to distinguish survivors who are on teams, other team members and committee members, she said.
VanErp is enthusiastic about this year's Relay for Life.
"We hope to surpass what we raised last year," she said.
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In 2005, about $51,000 was raised at Wadena's Relay for Life. There were about 5,000 luminaries.
Earlier in the day, the Bluffton Lions team will have a Fair Oaks mini-relay at 2 p.m. on Aug. 11.
The Relay for Life event begins at 7 p.m. and the ceremony and luminaries are lit at 8:30 p.m. Luminaries line the path at Sunnybrook Park. Teams walk throughout the night and cleanup is at 6 a.m.
At 2 a.m. is a style show and prizes will be drawn for team members every hour, VanErp said.
Wheelchairs will be available at the event.
