Family members, supporters and caregivers joined Lyon County cancer survivors to march around a trail lined with luminaries. Thursday’s Relay for Life event in Marshall honored those whose lives were touched by cancer, and raised money for the American Cancer Society.

MARSHALL — It was his fourth Relay For Life event as a cancer survivor. But Chad Magnussen said he’d never forget his first Relay.

“I remember the feeling I had when I saw my first luminary bag with my name on it. I was surprised to have such a rush of feelings for something so simple,” said Magnussen, the honorary survivor speaker at Thursday’s Relay for Life of Lyon County. The trail of luminaries winding around the Relay site represented hope and inspiration, he said. “Most importantly, these bags are a symbol of love and support to the survivors and the ones we have lost.”

A trail of luminaries honoring people with cancer was just one of the ways Lyon County residents came out to support of loved ones and neighbors. At the annual Relay for Life event in Marshall, supporters joined cancer survivors in a lap around the trail, and took part in fundraisers for the American Cancer Society.

“All funds raised here will go toward helping patients access services such as free rides to treatment, free lodging near hospitals and a 24/7 cancer helpline, and fostering cutting-edge research and breakthroughs advocating on behalf of cancer patients,” said Alyssa Jeppesen, one of the organizers of the event.

“Since 1991, the American Cancer Society has invested $3.1 billion in cancer research,” said Sandy Fultz. “We are working to improve the lives of everyone diagnosed with cancer.”

In addition to supporting groups like the ACS, speakers at Thursday’s Relay for Life emphasized the importance of being there for people in the community. Magnussen shared his story, of being diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer at the age of 49.

“I had over 25 tumors embedded in my bones, from my knees to my neck,” he said. The cancer had also spread to some of his soft tissues and lymph nodes. “The good news was that it hadn’t reached any organs.”

Even so, Magnussen’s prognosis was poor. “If I wanted to be an outlier, I had to do things differently,” he said. Magnussen said he took a “leave no stone unturned” approach, combining measures like chemotherapy with complementary alternative, naturopathic and integrative therapies.

“I’m happy to say that today, after four years of treatments, I have been an excellent responder to those therapies,” Magnussen said.

Magnussen said there were a lot of people that made a difference for him in his fight against cancer. He thanked his family, friends, community members, and all the doctors, nurses and health care workers who take care of people facing cancer.

“My family is everything to me, and my fight is fueled by their love. So thank you for being wonderful caregivers,” he said.

Caregivers also need support, speakers said. This year, Relay for Life’s honorary caregiver speakers were the family of Andy Anderson. Anderson died this spring, after his cancer that had been in remission returned and spread.

“We are very honored to be here tonight, coming together and raising awareness and money that will help support people who are going through very tough situations,” said Anderson’s daughter Jessie Wichmann.

Family members said the support that their family received included hospice treatment for Andy.

“After some deep conversations and reflection, we realized that what mattered most is what Dad truly wanted,” Wichmann said. He chose to spend his remaining time with friends and family at home.

“It was one of the hardest moments we faced,” she said. But at the same time, “We were blessed to add Prairie Home Hospice to his care team. They were absolutely wonderful about supporting Dad and the whole family.”

“Being a caregiver is one of the toughest roles a person can take on,” Wichmann said. That work can be made easier by having health care and social workers to support family caregivers.

When friends or neighbors are going through a difficult time, it’s important to step forward, Wichmann said. “If you know someone going through a similar experience, don’t wait for them to ask for help. Just show up. Bring them food, paper plates, a case of water, anything that might make it easier for them. Sometimes just your presence alone is enough,” she said.

Magnussen said there was still more that we can do to help support people dealing with a cancer diagnosis. “I was surprised when I got cancer that there were no active support groups within this community. And support is so critical for healing,” he said. “So the next part of my own healing is to start a care group, a support group within this community, and I would like to start that group with the help of some of you.”

Magnussen encouraged people gathered at the Relay for Life event to reach out to him to start a support group.