WESTPHALIA — Relay for Life of Osage and Maries Counties hosted its annual Drive-Thru BBQ fundraiser on June 16 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Westphalia.

Relay for Life is a fundraiser supporting the American Cancer Society, a nationwide organization with the goal to eliminate cancer. The organization estimates that more than 5,000 communities participate in fundraising events across the country.

In the past, the Osage and Maries group held a luncheon to honor cancer survivors. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the team has opted to host a meal with a pickup option. Relay for Life of Osage and Maries Counties Chair Nicki Bax said that the group has continued with the pandemic-era practice to allow cancer survivors or people still going through treatments to exercise extra caution with their health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people receiving cancer treatments have a greater risk of infection due to the disease and treatments for it causing weakness in the immune system due to lower white blood cell counts. Seating was available inside the venue for those who wanted to stay through the meal.

Bax said this was the second year hosting the event at the Knights of Columbus Hall. It gathered a lot of traffic being right off Highway 63 and just south of Highway 50.

Two lanes formed outside the hall; one was for the general public and another was for cancer survivors. Cancer survivors received free meals along with gift bags that included items such as a t-shirt and hygiene products. Bax said near the end of the night that about 50 cancer survivors had stopped by the fundraiser.

The fundraiser featured two raffles. A general raffle included several items donated by local people, businesses and organizations. Another raffle for cancer survivors included items such as handmade quilts and a hand-painted sign.

This year marks 25 years of Relay for Life of Osage and Maries Counties though the pandemic canceled the 2020 fundraiser. About 30 volunteers helped with the event in a variety of ways: cooking, directing traffic, organizing the raffle, handing out meals and gift bags to survivors and more.

“We love doing it because we do it for the survivors, and it keeps us going the best we can,” Bax said.

The dinner also included a luminaria ceremony, which is a staple of Relay for Life events. Near nightfall, volunteers place candles in paper lanterns decorated in honor of cancer survivors, people lost to cancer and caregivers of people with cancer.

During and leading up to the dinner, people could submit a lantern along with a $5 donation to Relay for Life. By the time the luminaria ceremony began, about 150 lanterns had been lined up around the inside of the Knights of Columbus Hall. Maries County Chief Deputy Scott John said a prayer in remembrance of those lost to cancer and others affected by it. Then, “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler played during a moment of remembrance. Volunteers followed by reading the names of those honored by the lanterns.

Following the luminaria ceremony, Osage County Sheriff Mike Bonham said a prayer for everyone in attendance to have a safe trip home.

“When I see the people in this room and the people who have already left, I know that we’re standing in solidarity against this evil called cancer,” he said.