Cancer survivors and their guests gathered last Wednesday at Becker City Park to once again celebrate the joys and triumphs of their personal battles against the devastating disease.

Organizer Fran Seeley and her team of volunteers once again provided a tasty meal and a good deal of camaraderie for the celebration, the ninth annual such get-together.

A total of 80 survivors attended the event, with most participants coming from the local area. Survivors with close ties to the Becker community also traveled from as far away as Dent, Brainerd and Pequot Lakes for the chance to share in the celebration.

As has been the case since the beginning, the attendees were treated to a fabulous meal, and then each survivor is given a bag of incredible treats, prizes and other gifts to help them celebrate the occasion. The evening concludes with the annual balloon release, as the sky is filled with an array of bright colors that signify the hope shared by all the attendees.

“Our donors are so generous,” Seeley said. “Also, our workers are wonderful and such a great help.”

Volunteers for this year’s dinner included Lonny, Parker, Darin, Mason and Fran Seeley; Phil, Bonnie and Bev Knutson; Robin, Morgan and Sidney Boros; Bud Stimmler, Mike McDonald, Kay Nelson, Kurt and Jodi Schlangen, Barb Ritze, Jon Cox, Wanda Russian, Ruth Babler, Amy Chmielewski, Ken Eich and Derek Rhodes.

Seeley also expressed a deep appreciation for the donors who again this year provided a donation for an incredible array of prizes that were sent home with each cancer survivor.

Donors included: Becker and Clear Lake Lions, Progressive Builders, Joyce Hart, Amy Chmielewski Agency, Penske, Mike McDonald, Rebecca’s Cafe, Von Hanson Snacks, Lena Strehlow, Bud Stimmler, Chad’s Auto Repair, The Kettle Shack, John and Wanda Russian, Mille Lacs Casino, Norm’s Farm Market, Phil and Bonnie Knutson, Taco John’s of Monticello, Larry and Debbie Seeley, Monticello Printing, Clearwater Holiday, Ann Johnson, Elk Dental Center, Charlie’s Sports Bar and Grill, McPete’s, Culver’s, Becker Township, St. Cloud Financial Credit Union, Arby’s, Sherburne State Bank, TJ Potter, Pebble Creek/City of Becker, Murray Enterprises, Wruck Companies, Becker Holiday, City of Big Lake, Tootsies, Edward Jones, Liberty Savings, Ralphie’s Minnoco, Beck’s Pub, Gate City Bank, Dueling Brews, Lori Scott, Cory Whiting, Kurt and Jodi Schlangen, Bev Knutson, Fran Seeley and Becker True Value.