Peggy Revell
Despite declining numbers in past years, local “Relay for Life” organizers have high hopes for this year’s event.
“We are committed this year to making sure this is the most enthusiastic relay ever,” said John Homer, who sits on the organizing committee.
“I’ve been involved in the last four, and there’s been lots of great, great relays—this one will be the most enthusiastic,” he pledged.
This year’s “Relay for Life” is slated for June 25-26, and once again will take place at Pither’s Point Park.
Since first being held in Fort Frances back in 2001, district residents have raised roughly $400,000 for the fight against cancer through the relay.
Like any annual event, Homer acknowledged there is less and less enthusiasm over the years.
Last year, for instance, just 16 teams participated—down from about 25 in 2008.
This downturn is something organizers really want to turn around.
“We really want to bring this event back,” Homer stressed. “And so we’re shooting for 30 [teams] this year.
“We raised $45,000 last year and we’re shooting for $60,000 this year.
“The economy’s starting to turn around and we’re hoping that we can up those numbers this year,” Homer added, noting they already have eight teams signed up just after the kick-off meeting held last Tuesday (April 6) at La Place Rendez-Vous.
Besides more teams, organizers also hope to see more cancer survivors coming out to participate.
While there are now probably “more and more” survivors in the area, Homer said less and less have come out to participate in the “Victory Lap” that kicks off the all-night relay.
To help change that this year, organizers are planning to hold a dinner for survivors before the relay begins to “make it a little more special for them,” he explained.
Survivors can register for both the victory lap and dinner by contacting Homer or organizing committee chair Duane Cridland at Gillons’ Insurance (274-7716).
“It’s a good thing to get everyone involved with, especially if you’ve had cancer,” agreed June Keddie, who has been involved with the “Relay for Life” since its inception here.
Keddie was recognized for her 15 years of service with the Canadian Cancer Society, and involvement with “Relay for Life,” at last Tuesday’s kick-off meeting.
Due to her age, Keddie said she is taking a step back this year when it comes to helping to organize the event, but still plans to be there with a team and help out with what she can.
“I do think survivors should try to come if the can—if they can’t walk very far, we can always give them a ride,” she reasoned.
“It’s a great thing and it’s a great thing to be together with other survivors, talk to them.
“It’s fun evening.”
As a cancer survivor herself, Keddie called the victory lap a “very emotional” moment.
“It kind of brings back all the memories,” she remarked, explaining that when walking the loop, she thinks of all the friends who have gone but also how glad she is to be here.
“It’s sad in a way, and yet it’s wonderful for all the people who have survived,” she said.
“I think the luminaries make it,” Keddie added. “At 10 o’clock, when it’s dark and all the luminaries are lit, when people walk around and see their names.
“I’ve had quite a few friends who have put a luminary in for me, and it’s nice to see that they’re thinking of me.
“I have had lots of help from my friends when I had cancer, and that’s what you need—friends,” she stressed.
This year, organizers have chosen the theme, “Relay Around the World,” with each team “representing” a different country.
“We’re really trying to make this a theme because let’s face it, as much as we want the money to stay locally, there’s people all around the world who are dealing with cancer issues that we have,” noted Homer.
Many of the local teams usually bring food and break it out at midnight, he said, so hopefully with this theme, they will bring food that matches their selected countries, such as perogies and cabbage rolls for Ukraine or Mexican food for Mexico.
Based on feedback about what makes people register for the event, Homer said they are aiming to have many more activities to participate in throughout the night.
This includes bringing in some “great entertainment,” Homer added, noting they’ve already heard word that the country artist who played here last year will be returning.
Meanwhile, they’re hoping to see more teams sign up—both old and new.
“It sounds like we’re going to have the Crazy Ladies Fabrics back this year,” said Homer. “Last year they didn’t walk, they quilted all night long at the Rendez-Vous [instead].
“We’re going to have the kids’ team who played all-night basketball back, so that’s a good thing.
“They’re hoping to have actually two teams this year,” Homer noted.
“Some of the teams that have taken a break are now back in it,” he added, noting this year the team from Canada Post will be returning.
One team Homer really hopes to see return is “Pink Attitude,” who was unable to attend last year’s relay.
“They were a huge boost to the relay,” he lauded “[They] brought so much enthusiasm.”
Teams are encouraged to register online at www.cancer.ca/relay
The next committee meeting will be held April 20 at 6 p.m. at Gillons’ while the first team captains’ meeting is slated there on April 27 at 6 p.m.
Luminaries—the decorated paper bags which are set up with candles to light the relay route during the night—will be on sale at the Harbourage, Adventure Inn, Pharmasave, Crazy Ladies Fabrics, and Gillons’, as well as from Keddie.
If businesses want to help distribute luminaries, they can contact Megan Ross at the Memorial Sports Centre (274-4561) or by calling Gillons’.
Those who want to volunteer with the event can contact either Cridland or Homer at Gillons’, or Homer at home (274-9210).
