Perham Relay For Life rolls out Monopoly theme at fairgrounds

Cory Solberg and Teresa Anderson helped lead Perham's Heart of the Lakes Relay For Life into a Monopoly-themed night at the East Otter Tail Fairgrounds, where 20 teams gathered after months of planning. The July 8 event traded the usual walk-fundraiser look for a game-board feel, but the stakes stayed the same: cancer awareness, fundraising and support for families in Otter Tail County who have been touched by the disease.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's volunteer-led fundraiser, built around celebration of survivors, celebration of caregivers, a luminaria ceremony and a fight-back component. ACS says the event now reaches nearly 1,000 communities nationwide and is the world's largest peer-to-peer fundraising event dedicated to saving lives from cancer.

Perham's event has deep local roots. Organizers first heard about Relay For Life about 30 years ago, when the idea was brand new in Fergus Falls, then brought it back to Perham. The local tradition has long centered survivors, from Ron Anderson and Beau Johnson as honorary co-chairs in 2022 to this year's leadership by Solberg and Teresa Anderson, both of Perham.

The money raised ties directly to help in Minnesota. The American Cancer Society says local services include Road To Recovery rides to treatment, lodging when care is far from home and a 24-hour cancer information line at 1-800-227-2345. At the East Otter Tail County Fairgrounds, a familiar gathering place for county events, that support network turned a themed evening into a practical fundraiser for patients and caregivers who need more than encouragement.

For anyone who wants to stay connected to the effort, Relay teams remain the local entry point, and the Minnesota cancer information line is open around the clock for patients looking for rides, lodging help or other support.