HOT PURSUIT

Winning on the field has been hard to come by for the Medford Tigers football team this season, but team members and others won in a different way last Friday.

Medford community members rallied for Tackle Cancer, a fundraiser to help one of their own. Theresa Wetmore has been battling bile duct cancer since January.

Organizer Sara Markham reports that the Medford Football Booster Club, which spearheaded the fundraising campaign, surpassed its goal of $5,000 and there are still more donations coming in. All the proceeds will go to help Wetmore.

“This community is incredibly generous,” said Markham, who grew up in Medford and now teaches second grade at Medford Schools. “Theresa and her family are forever grateful.”

Friday’s pregame festivities included many kids events like barrel rides and inflatables, North Memorial Air Ambulance, State Patrol, Medford Fire and Steele County Sheriff’s Office.

While the football action was happening on the field, members of the cross-country team led by Coach Dave Bon lapped around the track with a goal to get 10 miles in as a team. The runners had solicited donations prior to the game.

“It’s not a one person show,” Markham pointed out. “Everyone helps.”

When asked what motivates her to get behind this cause, Markham said: “I do this so the honoree can share their story. When you think about a normal greeting, it's always – ‘Hey! How are you doing?’ Someone who is sick doesn't necessarily want to tell well I have cancer and I am currently going through treatment. They are going through some of the toughest times of their life. The more we can share their story, the less they have to. When it comes to a small town everyone wants to help. We do this event to promote positivity and to really show that support not only to Theresa, but also to her family.”

Five booster clubs at Medford pitched in donations for this fundraiser. They included: Tiger Touchdown Club, Medford Diamond Association, Medford Wrestling Boosters, Medford Basketball Association and the Medford JO Volleyball Club.

“It’s all of the people involved coming together to create awareness and support that just brings me to tears,” Markham said. “We can’t cure cancer, but we can show Theresa all the love and support during this difficult time,” she added.

Wetmore wasn’t feeling well Friday so she couldn’t see the community’s extraordinary efforts to help her. But you can bet she was there in spirit. She actually came the previous night to the volleyball game where a special presentation was made to her.

“It’s unreal to watch it unfold,” Markham said. “It’s why you want to live in a small town. You want to have a village behind you. It’s nice to be a part of a community that just supports one another.”

Markham suddenly became overcome with emotion.

“It’s just incredible,” she said with tears in her eyes. “It’s so heart warming to see this.”

For Markham, honoring and helping Wetmore had a deep personal connection. Wetmore took care of children in Medford for 36 years. Markham and three of her siblings considered Wetmore their “daycare mom” for about 15 of those years.

Diane Ristau praised Markham for her efforts in organizing the cancer benefit and the rest of her family members for things they have done in the community over the years.

“They always give back in many ways,” said Ristau. “They are just a family that gives back a ton to the community.”

Markham didn’t want any of the spotlight to be on her, but rather on community members who went in hot pursuit of making it all happen.