The Mower County Relay for Life is getting a young perspective on cancer this year, as the two honorary chairs are children.

Elliana Leopold, 2, and Carter Simonson, 7 are the two honorary chairs for the 23rd annual Mower County Relay for Life, which will be held July 25-26 at the Mower County Fairgrounds. The ceremony starts at 6 p.m. and runs through 6 a.m. the next morning.

Read more about Elliana Leopold here:

The energy to make it

Read more about Carter Simonson here:

Finding the support to fight cancer

Community Manager for the Southern Minnesota American Cancer Society Sarah Finley said the two chairs were chosen by the Relay for Life committee because they felt they would be a good fit for this year. She hoped people could learn through the two children to keep fighting no matter what.

“Being a little bit older, we tend to, or feel like the strength or the energy isn’t there, and if a 2-year-old can do it, we can too,” Finley said. “I think that goes for both [Elliana] and Carter.”

Since many people think of adults or older people when they think of cancer, Finley said organizers hope this will help put into perspective that cancer can come at any age. She hopes there will be a good turnout at the relay this year. Though organizers didn’t make their goal at last year’s event, Finley hopes to have fun and raise money for a good cause regardless of if the goal is made this year.

About 15 teams are signed up, and there will be events all evening, including a dunk tank with local celebrities, the Stix of Fury drum line, live music, food, games, prizes, a silent auction and more. For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/mowercountymn.