Heather Latter
While more than 20 teams already have signed up for this year’s “Relay For Life” in Fort Frances, committee co-chair Jennifer Anderson said there’s still time to join in.
“We always have room for more,” she enthused. “If anyone is worried that it’s too late to get in, it’s certainly isn’t.
“The more, the merrier.”
Anderson said 20 teams is about average for the event, but she’d like to see more get on board this year.
The “Relay,” set for June 21-22 at Fort Frances High School, is an inspirational, non-competitive, 12-hour overnight fundraiser that brings people and their communities together to celebrate life and to fight cancer.
The event features a festival-like atmosphere that family, friends, and co-workers can enjoy regardless of their age or fitness level.
It involves teams of 10 people who take turns walking, running, or strolling around a track. Teams consist of people representing corporations, communities, families, and friends.
Anderson said many of the teams are off to a great start on fundraising.
“We definitely have some very ambitious teams doing a lot of fundraisers,” she remarked. “There’s been a lot of bake sales, garage sales, tag days.
“There are all sorts going above and beyond.”
But Anderson reminded participants that it isn’t a competition to raise the most funds.
“No matter your contribution, every little bit helps,” she stressed.
Due to extraordinary efforts by the teams, however, Anderson is setting a very ambitious goal to be reached this year.
“My personal target is $100,000,” she revealed, noting just under $82,000 was raised last year.
And as a little motivation, Anderson has pledged that if this year’s “Relay” reaches $100,000, she will shave her head at the closing ceremony.
“It’s a little ambitious, especially given the economic situation,” she conceded.
“But the teams are working really hard to do it.”
This year, the “Relay” once again will partner with the Riverside Foundation for Health Care.
“So anything over our actual goal of $45,000 stays here,” Anderson explained.
“So every dollar we raise over that goes to the Foundation.”
From last year’s “Relay,” a donation of $32,150 was presented to the Foundation in January.
“And, of course, a percentage of that [initial] $45,000 stays local anyway,” added Anderson, noting 40 percent of it stays here to fund cancer programs and activities while the rest goes to cancer research.
“So it’s a lot of money staying in the community,” she reiterated.
The “Relay” again will feature a survivors’ dinner at Boston Pizza, followed by the annual “Survivors’ Lap” around the track to open the event.
Cancer survivors are encouraged to sign up to take part.
Meanwhile, instead of the “Relay Idol” competition they’ve held in the past, the committee is bringing in local band “Distant Legacy” as entertainment.
“And there will be a variety of activities on-site with different teams,” Anderson noted, citing such things as a bouncy castle, chili dogs, tractor rides, etc.
As well, a number of activities will going on throughout the night for the teams to take part in.
“There will be lots of stuff going on,” Anderson promised. “And the public is invited to come out and support the teams for their on-site fundraising.”
They also are encouraged to take part in both the opening ceremonies and the luminary ceremony.
“We’ve always given people the opportunity to light their own luminaries,” Anderson said.
This year, people will be able to pick up a clothespin, which they can put on their bags to let volunteers know that someone would like to light that luminary.
She added people can purchase luminary bags at local businesses for $5 each. They can decorate their own and turn them in, or have the committee take care of it.
The theme this year is “Monopoly” and many teams have embraced it, picking a “property” to represent.
She added the location of the “property” will determine where each team’s campsite will be located as the entire track will be laid out like the “Monopoly” board.
“There will be some great big dice, and [we] will be using the ‘Chance’ and ‘Community Chest’ cards to do some education and prevention of cancer,” Anderson noted.
“We’re really trying to work the theme in this year.
“I think it’s going to be a really fun event,” she enthused. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
For team registration and general questions, contact Anderson (276-4594).
Nicole Schatull (274-3369) is in charge of the survivor events while Christine Denby (274-7716) is taking care of the luminaries.
More information also can be found by visiting www.cancer.ca/relay
