Heather Latter
This year’s “Relay for Life” here will be held June 15 at Fort Frances High School, not June 29 as originally planned.
The reason for the change stemmed from the last weekend in June leading into the Canada Day holiday weekend.
“We were running into conflicts with volunteers and availability with some of the services and organizations,” explained committee co-chair Jennifer Anderson.
And in order to not conflict with the “Relay for Life” in Rainy River slated for June 22, the committee decided to move the Fort Frances event two weeks ahead.
The committee also has selected a theme for this year’s event: “Relay Movie Madness.”
“We’re inviting all the teams and participants to pick their favourite movie, whether it’s a classic like ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ or something newer, and decorate their site and do costumes,” Anderson explained, adding teams also could recreate sets or sing a theme song.
“The ideas and options are endless,” she enthused.
“It should be a lot of fun.”
Themes from the last two years—“Relay Around the World” and “Relay Through the Decades”—proved popular during the event.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” is an overnight, non-competitive relay that celebrates cancer survivors and pays tribute to passed loved ones while fighting back in the hope of finding a cure for this terrible disease.
It involves teams of about 10 people, consisting of those representing corporations, communities, families, and friends, who take turns walking, running, or strolling around a track.
The “Relay for Life” is a signature event of the Canadian Cancer Society, taking place all across Canada at different times throughout the year.
Anderson said at least four teams already have registered for the 2012 “Relay,” with organizers hoping to see about 25 in all.
After a very successful event last year with 15 teams raising $70,000, Anderson said they hope to exceed that amount this year.
Organizers also would like to see more survivors attending the Survivors’ Dinner beforehand, which once again will be held at Boston Pizza, as well as for the initial “Victory Lap” around the track.
The committee plans to have many activities take place throughout the event, such as “Relay Idol” (similar to “Canadian Idol”), with local performers taking the stage.
“I have tons of ideas and things I would like to bring to the ‘Relay,’ not just to make it fun but to make it meaningful,” Anderson stressed.
She’d also like other people to offer ideas and suggestions via their Facebook group, “Fort Frances Relay for Life 2012.”
The “Relay” committee is hosting a team captains’ meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at Gillons’ (in the back).
“Anyone looking for information, or to sign up a team, should also come out,” Anderson urged.
