How does Lyle and Carpenter, Iowa raise so much money for cancer research?

Answer: With baby steps. One fundraiser at a time. Spring fling, Cans For Cancer, Golf Outing, four-wheeler and Harley Davidson raffles and the rest.

It takes many fundraisers leading up to the positively unbelievable Lyle Area Cancer Telethon Auction, when they raise a six-figure sum for cancer research.

For instance, Saturday’s third annual Halfway To January Cancer Bash.

The activities take place at American Legion Post No. 105 or the same place the January fun and games and auction excitement occur.

Tracy (Cooling) Schilling is the chairperson of the committee organizing Saturday’s fundraising fun.

Schilling is perfect for the job: She’s a cancer survivor.

“On June 7, 2008, it will be exactly four years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Schilling said. “When June 10 comes around, it will be my anniversary of being cancer-free after chemotherapy and treatment.”

Not only can Schilling talk the cancer talk, but she walked the perilous cancer walk.

In other words, been there, done that.

Shilling’s committee includes a sister, Tar Phelps, Mary Gleason and Chatti and Michelle Guttormson.

Saturday’s big event is the 2008 Cruise For Cancer over a 50-mile route in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota.

The participants will start at the Lyle Legion Post and travel to the Mitchell Dam Bar, Denny’s Place at St. Ansgar, Iowa, Gobblers Roost at Grafton, Iowa, Carpenter Bar and Grill and the Pit Stop at St. Ansgar, Iowa before returning to Lyle.

All cycles and cars are welcome to participate. Registration will take place beginning noon Saturday and end 1 p.m. when the procession will take off on a prairie cruise.

The entry fee is $15 per person.

Meanwhile, back at Lyle Legion, there will be a bake sale from 1 to 4 p.m. and a silent auction from 1 to 6 p.m.

A taco/nacho bar will be open at the Legion headquarters from 1 to 8 p.m.

Jesse Smith, blues singer, will entertain with his music from 6 to 8 p.m. when a drawing is scheduled for a Honda ATV.

Sometime Saturday — Schilling isn’t sure when — there will be a live auction.

Among the items to be auctioned will be a Tony Oliva autographed baseball from the Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer.

A year ago, the 2007 Bash raised $6,200, according to Schilling.

Anyone who has seen the banners listing cancer survivors’ and cancer victims’ name hanging on the wall of the annual January auction headquarters knows the community of Lyle and its friends at Carpenter, Iowa take cancer very personally.

The money they raise for cancer research goes to the 5th District Minnesota Eagles, who, in turn, distribute the proceeds to the Hormel Institute, Austin, Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota Cancer Research Unit.

Schilling said helping organize the annual Halfway To January Cancer Bash is simply a matter of “giving back.”

“My friend, Mary Gleason, said I had to do this,” Schilling said. “She was my inspiration to organize the Bash.”

“The entire community was so supportive, so helpful, it was unbelievable when I went through my cancer treatment. This is the least I can do,” she said.

For more information about Saturday’s Bash, call Schilling at 440-4236.