Girls Night Out, an Audrain County Relay for Life team, sponsored Taste For a Cure night at the Painted Heifer Saturday, Aug. 18.

The fundraiser was organized by team captain Susan Paden and hosted by her daughter-in-law and fellow team member, Stephanie Paden. Susan was inspired to create a Relay for Life team after several members of her family were affected by cancer.

Most recently her son, Stephanie’s husband, Eric Paden was diagnosed with cancer.

“In January of 2023, he got diagnosed with melanoma.” says Stephanie Paden. 

Stephanie and Eric Paden own the Painted Heifer and Bean Creek Beef in Mexico, Missouri. 

Eric is currently in remission from stage 3B melanoma but this May, was also diagnosed with kidney cancer.

“Relay is definitely near and dear to me, more now than it ever was.” says Stephanie.

Taste for A Cure night included a raffle, silent auction and cooking demonstration by the Girls Night Out team to raise money before Relay for Life which will be held Saturday, Sept. 14.

The Audrain County Relay for life has been raising money for the American Cancer Society for 28 years now.

“A majority of the money goes to research.” says Misty Frank, Chairperson of Audrain County Relay for Life. 

The American Cancer Society is a national 501C-3 non-profit organization, investing over five billion in cancer research since 1946. Despite this, a lot of the funds raised in Audrain County get to stay in the community.

“Mizzou has a researcher so it helps to know that it stays more local now than it used to.” says Frank.

Unfortunately, support for the Relay for Life has been on the decline since the coronavirus pandemic but Audrain County Relay for Life is working hard to change that.

Currently, Audrain County Relay for Life has 12 registered teams who, along with individual donors, have raised over $30,000.   

“Nancy and I worked hard to get some good entertainment so we’re hoping that will bring the numbers back up.” says Susan. 

Relay for Life is coming up fast but there are still plenty of upcoming fundraisers to participate in.

“We have a lot of teams that come up with some really cool fundraisers.” says Frank.

One of the Relay’s biggest fundraisers, a pie and cake auction hosted by the Friend Fighting as One team will be held Wednesday, September 11 at the Audrain County Court House Community Room at 6 p.m.

This year, the Audrain County Relay for Life, in addition to survivor testimonies and luminaria service, will include live music by Kelly Satnford, Keven Nance and The Echo’s.

“To be there with our community and the ones who are fighting it or have fought it, and show our support for them, it means a lot to each one of those survivors.” says Frank

If you are a vendor, business or supporter looking to participate in the Relay for Life, you can visit the Audrain County Relay for Life Facebook page or contact Misty Frank at 573-253-1598 or by email at mfrank412@yahoo.com. 

Luminary bags can be purchased until Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. To dedicate a luminary bag, you can visit the Audrain County Relay For Life Event page or contact: Doris Schutte at 573-473-6462, Lori Love at 573-473-8220 or Brenda Pater at 573-243-4657.