By Scott D. Johnston

Now if a man tried to take his time on Earth

And prove before he died

What one man’s life could be worth

Well, I wonder what would happen to this world?

— Harry Chapin

Thousands of participants, supporters and spectators filled the Sea Breeze Oval track and grandstand at Hoquiam High School on Friday night for the 31st annual Grays Harbor Relay For Life, a 24-hour event that supports the American Cancer Society.

The local event started in 1986, just a year after one man’s effort to “make a difference” inspired what would become a worldwide series of events that has raised several billion dollars.

In May 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at the University of Puget Sound, raising money to help his local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Friends, family, and patients watched and supported him as he walked and ran more than 83 miles and raised $27,000 through pledges.

As he circled the track, he envisioned having teams participate in a 24-hour fundraising event. The next year, 19 teams were part of the first Relay at Tacoma’s Stadium Bowl. The first Grays Harbor Relay For Life event also took place that year. Fast-forward 30 years, and in 2016, more than 4 million people in 26 countries — from Australia to Zambia — took part in Relay For Life events, raising more than $80 million.

As it is for many who have become involved with Relay For Life, for local event co-chairs Debi Luther and Jenny House, it’s a personal thing.

“I’ve lost my entire family to cancer,” House said. Relay For Life “is very dear to me and I truly believe we WILL defeat cancer.”

The devastating disease took the life of Luther’s sister-in-law 11 years ago. And, she said, “My husband’s treatment was cutting=edge,” his winning fight for life made possible by the kind of research that organizations such as Relay For Life help support.

Survivors are honored guests at the annual event. As the oldest continuing volunteers in the Harbor Relay with 26 years each, Gayle Powell of Hoquiam and Jane Madtson of Aberdeen enjoy the privilege of handing out survivors T-shirts and medals, along with plenty of smiles and hugs. With victims and survivors both in her family, her hope is simple: “I don’t want to see any more young kids or anybody get cancer.”

The Grays Harbor event this year involved 36 teams with around 250 members, working and walking toward a goal of $200,000. A “core group” of about 15 volunteers started planning last July. For the actual event days, their ranks grew past the “too many to count” level, Luther said.

Lifelong Harbor resident Jean Shofner and her “J Crew” team were there for the fourth year as a family team, in honor of her father and also in celebration of she and a brother both being cancer survivors.

“It’s the best party in town,” she laughed, but it’s a party with a purpose. “It’s important to remember that research is going to be the answer,” she said.

The Relay here has a history of being a high per=capita event, raising more money per person than many big-market events. Its success led to the creation of a separate East Grays Harbor Relay For Life that saw 16 teams turn out Friday night at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds in Elma.

Luther said the “caring and sharing” denizens of The Harbor support many worthy causes. “We take care of our own,” she said. “We’re a giving community and, through all our ups and downs, we keep giving.”

The 30-year history of the event, she explained, “has been tremendously helpful” as the first-time co-chairs put together this year’s edition of the 24-hour event, which she said maintains many good traditions and adds some new aspects. Making vital contributions are “some great sponsors, many of whom have been sponsors for years.”

Vietnam veteran and skin cancer survivor Jim Law was joined by his daughter, Tammy, to walk near the front of the Survivors Lap. “It’s great that everybody is supporting what’s going on here,” he said, “but it breaks my heart that so many have died.”

Dale and Nancy Benner of Cosmopolis “always walked with Mom, and we still do fundraisers in Mom’s memory,” he said. “It’s great to see the support from people in the community.”

There are many elements in the Relay, from the moving Survivors Lap and Luminaria Ceremony, to the fun at 4 o’clock in the morning Conga Line Lap, to freshly baked cinnamon rolls Saturday morning. For Luther, two things stand out:

“First, we’re raising money to finish the fight. Until there’s no more ‘You’ve got cancer,’ we need to do this. And there’s the camaraderie of getting together and celebrating the survivors and honoring those we’ve lost to cancer.”

Relay for Life continues until 5:30 p.m. today.

The “J” Crew, one of the Relay’s many fundraising teams, sets up its concession stand on the infield during Relay for Life on Friday afternoon. (Photo by Scott D. Johnston)