Local group raises over $22,000 during 2025 Relay for Life

By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The Relay For Life of Otter Tail County celebrated its 30th anniversary on Friday, July 11 as they held the 2025 Relay for Life at the East Otter Tail County Fairgrounds in Perham. With numerous participants, the relay raised over $131,000 in funding for cancer research at the American Cancer Society.

The event, which took place between 2 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday morning, has been an annual affair since 1995 when Ron and Dee Anderson brought the idea to the East Otter Tail area. Having previously been involved with the local American Cancer Society chapter, the Andersons thought it would be beneficial to start a Relay in the area.

The first step in starting the Relay for Life in Perham was to attend the 1994 Relay for Life of West Otter Tail in Fergus Falls. Les and Sandy Hanson, organizers of that event, showed Ron and Dee the ropes of how it was organized, who was involved, and what the experience was like. Taking what they learned from that event, the East Otter Tail Relay for Life was born the next year.

In 2022, the West and East Otter Tail Relays for Life came together, united for the same cause, in hopes of raising funds for the American Cancer Society and also for spreading awareness for cancer diagnoses and assisting patients and families. Since then, teams from across the county and also those of surrounding counties who no longer have a Relay For Life continue to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in support.

In celebration of 30 years in East Otter Tail County and 40th anniversary nationwide, the Otter Tail Relay for Life organizers have gone all out with preparations—decorating nearby towns with signs, flags and ribbons to raise over $125,000 prior to the actual event, and selling luminaries in memory and honor of those affected by cancer—all in hopes of achieving their 2025 goal of raising $200,000, spreading awareness, and making a difference in the lives of cancer patients worldwide.

Another important aspect of the Relay for Life event is the Cancer Survivor’s Dinner, which was held the night before the Relay For Life on July 10. This event, chaired by Laurine Braukmann, is held to honor and recognize survivors of cancer and their stories. This year’s dinner was held at Lakeside Event Center in Perham and featured a social hour, catered meal, and an inspirational message from fellow cancer survivor Donny Braun.

The impact of the Relay for Life organization has been a large one over the years. This year’s theme, “Year By Year, We Are Closer to a Cure,” showcases the leadership’s guiding mentality for the relay’s purpose. During the first Relay For Life in 1995, nine teams raised $9,000 in aid of the American Cancer Society. The five-year survival rate for all cancers, combined, was 63 percent at that time.

In 2024, 21 teams raised over $200,000, celebrated 80 individual cancer survivors, and furthered the cause of cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services. The five-year cancer survival rate is now at 68 percent. The Otter Tail County Relay For Life team emphasized that through continued support from across the nation, a cure becomes nearer and nearer each year.

The 2025 Relay For Life, as always, was a family-friendly event for all ages. Activities included a silent auction, Bingo games, classic car show, bouncy houses, kids games, wacky hair, as well as a variety of food available as well as a survivor’s lap, dove release, and luminary ceremony, families from across the region came together to enjoy one another’s company, spread awareness, and raise funds for cancer research.

The New York Mills Dream Team, the most local fundraising team, is captained by Jan Parta, who has been involved with the Relay For Life since 1996. She said the Dream Team has been around just as long, however, it went through a few name changes before they settled on “Dream Team” around 15 years ago. 

Parta’s late husband, Mike, was a cancer survivor and was honored as a 2016 Relay for Life honorary co-chair in Otter Tail County. She finds great fulfillment in the work of the Relay which hits close to home each year. 

“I think supporting all the survivors that we have, being there for them and their families,” she said. “The actual night of the relay is pretty emotional with the lighting and the ceremony, that’s a pretty big highlight.”

The NYM Dream Team has about 24 members this year and have raised over $22,000 for the 2025 Relay for Life. They spearheaded their annual plant sale at Mills Country Market and turkey lunch at Central Park this summer as part of their fundraising.

“I hope we can keep it going because many relays throughout the state have died out,” said Parta. “Otter Tail Relay for Life has done a tremendous job, last year this relay raised $220,000 and with 30 percent cuts in federal funding, it’s more important than ever to raise money for research.”