Ortonville- Pat Guziak was sitting at her campsite at about 3 a.m. at the Relay for Life in Westland five years ago when she saw a woman in distress at the 24-hour walk to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
Guziak walked up and asked her if she wanted to talk, and soon learned the woman, Rhonda Temple, was crying because her 6-year-old daughter, Alyssa, had died just a few months before from leukemia.
The women became great friends, one of many friends Guziak has made in 12 years of doing Relay for Life.
‘To me, that is what Relay is about,? she said. ‘You see someone struggling and you walk up and ask, ‘How can I help???
Last weekend, Guziak participated in the fifth annual Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville, her first one in this community. Next to her was her son, Brendan Guziak, 14, team captain of BMS Fights Cancer.
‘Relay means helping other people,? he said. ‘I love to raise funds to help other peoplel have a better chance at living. It’s an honor.? The Guziaks soon took to the stage at the event held at the old football field at Varsity Drive, with Brendan urging the afternoon crowd to sign pledges to wear sunblock, sunglasses, and eat healthier to help prevent cancer, and Pat sharing how she volunteers to drive cancer patients to chemotherapy. She encouraged others to also become volunteers.
The weather was warm, but dry June 16-17 for the Relay and walkers did laps around the track while in the middle of the field, tents were set up and attendees danced and played volleyball and more.
‘It just feels good to do something about fighting back against cancer,? said Erica Kranson, a member of the Passed, Present and Future team and whose grandfathers have both survived cancer.
Theresa Hurley, ACS representative, said more than 100 cancer survivors, ‘faces of hope,? were present to kick off the Relay in the morning with the survivor lap. Many returned in the evening as luminarias were lit for a special remembrance lap.
While she noted it is difficult to track attendance, $68,213 was raised to fight cancer as a result of the event as of Wednesday, and fundraising will continue for this Relay through Aug. 31 in an effort to reach the goal of $86,010.
A wrap-up party is planned for 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., June 26, at Lake Louise Church of the Nazarene, 2300 S. Ortonville Road, at which Relay participants are invited to share their favorite moments and give input and suggestions for next year. Anyone interested in joining Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville next year is also welcome to attend.
‘This relay had a lot of positive energy, a really nice community feel,? said Hurley. ‘It was nice to see a lot of youth taking an active interest in the fight and all the comraderie. There were people out there doing zumba at 1:30 a.m., it was awesome. There was a lot of energy.?
For more information on Relay for Life or the wrap-up party, call Theresa at 248-663-3427.

Ortonville- The numbers are compiled: Thirty-six teams. Ninety-five survivors. More than 500 participants total, too many visitors to count and $78,144 raised in the battle against cancer.
But the numbers tell only a small portion of the story of the fourth annual Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville. The 24-hour event, which took place from 10 a.m. June 11 to 10 a.m.-June 12, was more than just the American’s Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event. It was, as it bills itself, a time to celebrate, remember, and fight back.
Joy and sorrow were evident as smiles shone and tears flowed at the track and football field near Harvey Swanson Elementary on Varsity Drive where the Relay was held.
Ginny Livingstone, a Novi resident, was admitting children to a bounce house at the event. This was her fourth year participating as a member of the ‘Dream Team.? Livingstone’s sister, Ortonville resident Cyndi Livingstone, is a breast cancer survivor.
‘I do this in honor of my sister,? said Ginny, who also walked laps and sold T-shirts at the Relay. ‘It means a ton to support my sister. We are showing we care and love her.?
Keri Leslie of Ortonville was at the event as a member of the ‘Passed, Present, Future? team.
Leslie’s mother died of breast cancer in 2001 at the age of 51. She also lost her grandparents to cancer.
‘There are too many reasons for us to be out here,? she said. One of those reasons was standing next to her. Leslie’s brother-in-law, Dave Peplinski, also a member of the team, is a cancer survivor.
Peplinski was diagnosed April 23, 2004 with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor and within two hours of diagnosis, underwent surgery. The 46-year-old married father of two is now considered cancer-free.
‘This is a wonderful feeling of hope for everyone,? said Peplinski of the Relay for Life. ‘You share with everyone a common goal.?
April Ferree lit a luminary at the Relay with her cousin, Kori Galpin. The luminary was in honor of their grandmother, Andrea Ferree, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
‘We are at Relay to show our support because we have a lot of family members with cancer and who have fought it and we just want to do our part.?
For anyone else wanting to do their part, there is still time. Raena Kalfayan, Relay event chair, said donations will continue to be accepted to count for this year’s Relay total until Aug. 31.
‘We are only $7,000 away from our goal of $85,000 and I am confident we will make it happen!? she said.
To find out more, visit
www.relayforlife.org/brandonmi.

The track and football field were full on Saturday at Clarkston Junior High, as local cancer survivors and loved ones spent the weekend together, May 15-16, at the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.
The event included survivor celebration, Luminaria Ceremony, as well as a Victory Lap.
Photo story by Trevor Keiser

Ortonville- Twenty-seven teams have signed up for Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville, and registrations will continue to be accepted until the event begins.
Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville, a 24-hour walk to benefit the American Cancer Society, is set to begin at 10 a.m., June 21 and will end at 10 a.m., June 22 at the Brandon Schools Athletic Complex, 209 Varsity Drive.
Teams, typically consisting of 10-15 people, commit to having at least one member on the track at all times. Walkers can have someone sponsor them or the whole team or the event. Tents will be set-up.
Team registration is $150 and is waived if another team is referred.
Individuals are also invited to walk, and anyone can come and watch the event. Entertainment is planned, as well as themed laps for walkers.
Luminaries are being sold for $10 each and will be featured during a moving ceremony in the evening.
Details on the event or to register, call Michelle Selak at 248-328-0187 or Colleen Cordner at 248-505-4937.