Photos by Deb Gau Luminarias honoring people affected by cancer lined pathways inside the Marshall National Guard Armory on Thursday evening. Event organizers moved the Relay from Independence Park to the Armory to avoid inclement weather.

MARSHALL — Severe weather forecast for Thursday meant a change in plans, but it didn’t stop Lyon County’s annual Relay For Life event. Instead of gathering at Independence Park, area residents headed to the National Guard Armory.

“We were blessed to have a secondary spot,” said Relay For Life committee member Chanda Bossuyt.

Bossuyt said organizers made the call to move the event indoors earlier in the day, as they were preparing to set up the stage.

“We didn’t want the stage to have to move,” she said.

It was short notice, but Bossuyt said radio and social media helped spread the word about the venue change.

Inside the Armory gym, area residents walked along rows of luminaria set up in honor of loved ones who fought cancer, and sampled chili entered in this year’s cookoff. Most importantly, they came together to share stories and raise support for people affected by cancer.

“You don’t really feel what that support does until you go through it,” said Michael Weiss.

He spoke about his cancer journey at the Relay event, as this year’s honorary survivor.

Weiss is a fourth-grade teacher and hockey coach at Marshall Public Schools. Weiss was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in June 2020. At the same time, Michael and his wife Cassi learned they were expecting their son.

Weiss went through six rounds of chemotherapy, and has been in remission since November 2020.

“The chemo was tough,” he said.

Because of the COVID pandemic, he could only have one person with him in the hospital. Cassi was a major source of support, he said.

“She was by my side every day,” he said.

Weiss said one of the big things he learned from his experiences was how important it was to be able to accept help.

“I’ve learned that you truly do have a community of people who will stand with you,” Weiss said.

His support groups included family, close friends, co-workers, the local hockey community and medical providers.

Over the past couple of years, Weiss has offered support to other people dealing with cancer. He works with an organization called Minnesota Hockey Fights Cancer, as well as speaking to local churches and individuals.

While Weiss shared the perspective of a cancer survivor, family members of Jerry Sanow shared their experiences as caregivers for a person with cancer. Sanow, a Marshall resident, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. He died in 2020.

Jerry’s wife Kim talked about how important faith was for the family during Jerry’s fight with cancer.

“Prayers were huge for us. There were so many people praying,” she said.

Kim Sanow said Jerry tried to stay positive even as he was fighting cancer.

“He just kept moving on and living life as best he could,” she said.

It was a good example to follow.

“We would encourage everyone: Live life,” Sanow said. “We’re here to live. We’re here for a purpose.” She urged area residents to reach out and do something for someone in their home town.