RIVER FALLS — Relay For Life has become one of the most powerful community events in the area over the years, stuffing the River Falls High School Gym year after year as community members hear from cancer survivors on their journeys, raise money for the American Cancer Society and take in the emotion-filled survivor laps around the track.

This year’s honorary survivors who will speak to the crowd are Stephanie Huppert and Tommy Helmer. Huppert is a Prescott High School graduate and Helmer is an Ellsworth High School graduate, and the two both still call Pierce County home. The duo even previously worked together at Helmer Printing.

“I have the opportunity to give back to others, where I know many people don’t have that opportunity,” Huppert said. “I actually changed a vacation to be able to do this event…just because I felt so inspired by being asked and by them wanting me to be part of this event.

“Cancer affects far too many people, whether they’re a survivor, or a caregiver or someone who has lost the battle,” Huppert said. “I am doing it for all of the above.”

Huppert hopes the message people can take away is that no one fights alone and to never stop fighting. She experienced support from people and businesses that did not even know her, and learning to accept the help was crucial, even when it was difficult.

“You can’t do these things on your own,” Huppert said. “It really has changed my view on many things. I feel as though I’ve had the opportunity to have a second chance at life. I’m very thankful for my care team, my treatment team, my friends and family, my work colleagues.”

Huppert was diagnosed with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in 2024 and went through chemotherapy all the way until August 2025, where no evidence of the disease was found in a scan. While Huppert said the journey is still going, learning to fight for herself and her family changed Huppert’s philosophy.

“I think I’m still learning. You definitely learn what’s most important to you. Some of the things that you used to think were so important to you become miniscule,” Huppert said. “You have to cling to those things that you find helps you to get through these difficult times. I learned I’m stronger than I thought.”

Helmer felt symptoms for about a year before deciding to go to the doctor. After a colonoscopy in February 2025, he was diagnosed with Stage 3C cancer. Helmer said the lesson of his story is to take care of yourself and get screened, because if he did not wait a year for a colonoscopy, they may have caught the cancer in Stage 1.

“It really can save your life, and that’s what I want people to go home with when I’m done,” Helmer said.

An event like this is important to Helmer because not only does it raise money for the American Cancer Society, it brings neighbors together to show the importance of a continued stream of federal funding into cancer research.

“It’s difficult to share your story, primarily because I consider myself being one of the lucky ones because of the type of cancer that I have, the treatability of my cancer. I have chemo this afternoon, and I’m sitting right next to people that are getting chemo just to simply extend their life. It’s not a cure, and I feel guilty about that,” Helmer said.

Helmer had experienced cancer journeys through friends and family in the past, but taking it on first-hand was a different challenge mentally.

“I learned what I can tolerate physically, mentally,” Helmer said. “I’ve had a lot of friends and family that have suffered from cancer, and I’ve always said to myself, ‘What would be going through my mind if I ever came down with cancer.’”

Helmer echoed Huppert’s statements about the importance of surrounding yourself with support and allowing people to lift you up.

“That’s really been my comfort zone, just having my care team be so involved in my well-being, which, to be honest with you, I was not expecting. I was expecting to be somewhat of a number,” Helmer said. “These people have now become part of my family. I know their first names, I know their kids’ names.”

All are welcome at RFHS from 5-9:30 p.m. April 10, and there will be a Lions Club community dinner, a vendors market, a silent auction, remarks from the honorary survivors and more.