Family, friends and loved ones joined cancer survivors in an honorary walk Thursday evening at Lyon County Relay For Life. The event remembered all whose lives have been touched by cancer, and raised funds for the American Cancer Society.

MARSHALL — Being diagnosed with cancer was the start of a journey that Alyson Bossuyt and Addison Jensen said they never expected to take.

“This is my journey. I didn’t pick the journey – nobody does. But what am I gonna do, try and hide from it?” Bossuyt said. “I just have to take the journey.”

Bossuyt and Jensen, the honorary chairs for this year’s Lyon County Relay For Life, said support from family and friends, and strong faith, had helped them on their journeys.

On Thursday night, Relay For Life hosted events including a meal, live auction and luminary lighting in downtown Marshall. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Relay For Life event. Lyon County Relay For Life has been part of that history for more than 30 years, said Alyssa Jeppesen, one of the county Relay organizers.

“Tonight is a celebration of 40 years of impact, and every one of us is part of that legacy,” Jeppesen said. Relay was an opportunity to hear from cancer survivors, and to raise money to help continue the fight against cancer, she said.

Jensen and Bossuyt each shared their stories as part of the Lyon County Relay. Bossuyt grew up in a farm family near Marshall, and as an adult she continued farming with her husband and children. In 2022, Bossuyt started experiencing different health problems, and in 2024 was diagnosed with an ovarian mass. Her doctors quickly started chemotherapy treatments. “They weren’t messing around,” she said.

“Between the day they did the ultrasound and found the tumor, to a month later when they diagnosed the cancer, that was a realization that just hit home with me. Life’s a journey, and you just have to take it,” Bossuyt said.

“I couldn’t have taken the journey without the support of family and friends,” Bossuyt said. They were there from the very beginning, she said. While the journey was unexpected, Bossuyt said, “I’ve been blesssed . . . I get to live my life intentionally, recognizing that it is a gift.”

Jensen was diagnosed with breast cancer, and has undergone chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Going through treatment brought changes like hair loss, she said.

“One night when I couldn’t handle the mess anymore, I started shaving it off,” Jensen said of her hair. “I remember my daughter walking into the bathroom and saying, ‘What are you doing?'”

“When I first heard my diagnosis, my thoughts went instantly to my kids, such as how are we going to do this?” she said. But Jensen said her Christian faith helped when the “what ifs” would hit her.

“There’s a peace that only (Jesus) can give, that kind that doesn’t make sense in the middle of the chaos, and that is what has held me together,” she said. The care of her family, friends, church community and care team all made a difference too.

Jensen said this was her third year taking part in Relay For Life. “I’m so thankful for this community, for everyone being here, supporting caregivers and survivors. Thank you for standing with us and bringing hope,” she said.

Relay For Life was an event that carried a meaning for the people attending. Before the start of the program Thursday evening, small groups of people could be seen walking the Relay path, and stopping to read the names on the luminaries lining the route.

Larry VanMoer and Karla Engels said they were there to remember Addy VanMoer, Larry’s wife and Karla’s mother. Addy died about a year and a half ago, they said.

In addition to Addy, “We have lots of friends and family represented here,” Karla Engels said. It was meaningful to get to see loved ones honored, she said. “It makes you appreciate and remember everyone,” she said.