Shellbrook Relay for Life returns, raises over $10K

“So we’re showing up for them. We’re showing up for all our family members. Everyone in some way, both you and me, has been affected by cancer, so I think it’s a cause that kinda touches everyone in some way.”

The survivor’s walk. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

The event ran for five fours and received a lot of support from local businesses. Local RCMP members also served hamburgers.

“We’re hoping if this is successful, we can do six hours next year or maybe 10, and just try to keep that momentum going,” Henderson said.

Tani Hamborg was the special VIP. In 2019, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and recalled feelings of something in her head not being right, being very tired, and having a loss of appetite.

“I was at home one night after school, and I couldn’t open a banana. I couldn’t remember how to do it, and then I went to close the window, and I couldn’t figure out how to do it,” she explained.

Upon being told she had cancer, Hamborg described a feeling of being relieved, just knowing what was wrong.

After six months and 12 treatments, Hamborg was told she was cancer free. A final confirmation was provided in 2023. Noting a darkness that surrounded her, including times when she would cry for no reason, she credited her family for helping her get through it and helping her see that there was a life worth fighting for.

“One day, I was talking to Jesus, and I just felt like the choice was mine. I can live or I can die, so I’m like I pick life.”

Hamborg addresses the crowd. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

The mother of three has recently learned she’s going to become a grandmother. Hamborg, who noted that the real story is about the families, recalled in her own experience one of the ways her family showed support: filtering who was allowed to talk to her, ensuring there were no pity faces and only positive energy that included phone calls.

Hamborg even joked about the fact that her oldest daughter was almost like a bouncer.

“I think it was easiest on me because I didn’t have to see a family member deteriorate, and they never showed any signs of distress, there was never any pity in my house,” she said.

Hamborg was asked what it meant to her to be a part of Friday’s event.

“I would love for this to like be a message of hope and resilience, and that kind of thing. When you’re in the thick of it, the real like how it was for me, was that it was such a dark spot,” she said, adding it took her another two years to start feeling better mentally.

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Travis and Cindy Jess were there with their five-year-old daughter Mallory, who at the age of five months was diagnosed with brain cancer.

“Her treatments are working fantastic and we’re so thankful, but it’s just so nice for something like this to kind of bring everybody together and appreciate the survivors and everybody that’s had to fight this,” Travis said.

Mallory’s story has inspired many others, and last year was granted a Make-A-Wish. Cindy Jess said coming out for Friday’s event was an easy decision.

“From the day she was diagnosed, we’d had lots of support from our community, our family, everyone.”

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social

by Nigel Maxwell

Shellbrook Relay for Life returns, raises over $10K

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