Organizers of this year’s Cancer Walk fundraiser were quite pleased with the more than $10,000 raised in this year’s walk and related activities.
    Deb Hrcka, member of the Cancer Walk planning committee for the Chase County Community Hospital event, said all of the proceeds will go into the hospital’s fund that helps area residents facing the financial challenges of cancer.
    Despite the dreary, misty morning Saturday, 65 adults and children were registered for the walk which took them around the school track.
    In addition, 37 pinwheels were purchased at $5 each in memory of loved ones or in support of those now dealing with cancer.
    Prior to the start of the walk, people gathered in the bleachers for a short program.
    Sharing with the group was Michelle Troxell of Imperial, whose husband Aaron is now in remission after his leukemia diagnosis in July 2015.
    She noted he had been feeling extra tired and run down, but they initially passed it off as dehydration or just the effects from work.
    When he passed out on the job, however, they sought medical treatment.
    Initially, tests showed that 77 percent of his blood had cancer. His treatment required a month in the hospital, she noted, and he was released the end of August that year.
    They continue to follow up with checkups in Omaha every three months and he’ll be watched closely for five years, she said.
    She said the family couldn’t have made it through the ordeal without all the support.
    “The love and support from this community was overwhelming,” she said.
    “We will never be able to thank every one.”
    Saying “cancer sucks,” she encouraged everyone to get checked out if they feel a little “off,” adding that symptoms are different in every case.

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