2015: Shift to Saturday & 6-hour fundraiser on June 13

New format for Relay For Life in Woodstock
Announced officially earlier this month is a story printed in the Woodstock Sentinel- Review, noting Relay For Life is modifying its format locally -- making changes to all 3 Oxford events.
The Sentinel story by Heather Rivers, stated:

Big, bold changes are coming soon to the Canadian Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser in an effort to broaden its appeal.

Both the Woodstock and Ingersoll events will shift to 6 hours, while the Tillsonburg fundraiser will continue to be 12 hours but move around the clock to a day-time format. 
Read the story in the link below, but Relay in Woodstock for 2015 will be on a Saturday (June 13) and is set for 6 p.m. to midnight at College Avenue Secondary School.
The essential form of the event will remain unchanged with an opening ceremony, survivors' lap and luminary ceremony.
If you would like to join the Relay committee as a volunteer in any capacity, contact the office today at (519) 537-5592.

LINK:
http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2014/12/08/bold-and-big-changes-to-relay
www.relayforlife.ca/Woodstock

Individuals and teams recognized for '14 fundraising

Relay raises about $245,000 in Woodstock
We thank all participants of Relay For Life in Woodstock.
While the dollars are still getting counted, tabulated and re-counted, Tracy Bucholtz from the CCS Oxford office says we are nearing $245,000 for Woodstock.
Many individuals and teams deserve that little extra congratulations as award winners:

Random pictures of Relay For Life 2014

Capturing crowds, recognizing volunteers and sponsors
Wandering around the CASS track before and during Relay For Life in Woodstock offers the opportunity to capture some moments.
It was the 15th Relay for Woodstock -- raising more than $230,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Portions of the program provide Relay info

Schedules, Chuck's Place, Entertainment, and What's Cooking 
At Relay For Life there are obviously dozens of sponsors and many small details to iron out as June 13th approaches.
The Opening Ceremony is at 6:45, followed by the Survivor Lap. The Luminary Ceremony is at 10 p.m., but there is so much happening with the Fight Back Zone, food tent, children's activities, team photos, entertainment on the stage, games organized by the committee, fundraisers run by various teams, plus massages, the silent auction and providing some cancer education throughout the night.
The title page of the program has already been posted here, but now we are posting more reminder items from the program.

Reminders, a request for volunteers and a list of sponsors

Check the checklist; and pack lots of enthusiasm
As Relay For Life kicks off on Friday night at CASS, the committee reminds participants to bring a checklist of items, including their enthusiasm.
Here is the final newsletter for Relay, including a few other details, including parking suggestions.
Teams are reminded they can have their team pictures taken. The on-going volunteer spirit of the Woodstock Camera Club is one of the many important volunteer groups at Relay. The pictures are printed at Shoppers Drug Mart (sponsor) at the east end location on Friday night, so you can also receive your team pictures at Relay.
If you would still like to volunteer in some capacity -- maybe in logistics to help set up the stage and tent city, or possibly with the luminary committee as they write messages on the paper bags and place luminaries on the track in alphabetical order, don't hesitate to call the CCS office at (519) 537-5592.
The steering committee thanks in advance Boston Pizza, Swiss Chalet, No Frills, Pita Hut, Tim Hortons and other food sponsors, plus the Saturday morn cleanup crew which includes the Lions Club of Woodstock and Knights Of Columbus.

 

Maddie McIntyre survives cancer, to graduate high school

'Metal alloy rods' inserted in right leg as cancer was removed
Relay For Life is Friday in Woodstock 

By Mark Schadenberg

I've had the opportunity to meet champions from sports, but on Monday I met a true champion – a young lady who battled cancer and won.

Maddie McIntyre (right in photo) will graduate this month from St. Mary's High School in Woodstock, but the 18-year-old from Ingersoll will tell you quickly that a diploma is not her most significant accomplishment.

McIntyre is a cancer survivor – now cancer free after an extended battle with Osteosarcoma.

“I am truly blessed to have made it through my cancer (diagnosis and treatment) alive – with support from my friends and family. So many people have been such a huge support.”

McIntyre's prom is Friday – the same day on the calendar for Relay For Life in Woodstock. McIntyre will attend both with as many as 80 schoolmates and family joining her at the Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser at the CASS track around 10 p.m.

“I'm more excited about Relay then my prom,” said McIntyre.

Just one week before her 16^th birthday, McIntyre was diagnosed with cancer and after 18 months of chemotherapy and one pain-staking surgery, she is soon to be a high school graduate.

McIntyre's recovery included an operation that included not only the removal of her entire right knee, but also a portion of her tibia and femur. McIntyre describes her leg now with the knee joint being “metal alloy rods.” She was unable to walk for about six months as her operation at Sick Kid's in Toronto was April 11, 2012 and she didn't walk again until October of that year after physiotherapy and cancer treatments.

The Relay For Life organizing committee will recognize McIntyre after the 10 p.m. Luminary lighting ceremony, and introduce Maddie, and her friends and family, to enjoy a survivor lap.

“I often think of those who did not make it, who I had met in the hospital and who had the same cancer as me,” says McIntyre, who adds that Terry Fox also had the same cancer, and the Woodstock Relay is at the Terry Fox Memorial track at CASS.

The St. Mary's graduating class is planning to present a cheque at Relay as well.

Among McIntyre's fan club is best friend Kelsey Malott (also pictured), who will also graduate from St. Mary's along with her personal hero.

McIntyre adds: “At prom and at Relay, our graduating class will be together one last time, and I'm looking forward to walking the track at Relay – proud of my huge accomplishment.”

Make a necklace, check out Facebook and drive to Heart FM

The 7th annual Drive Thru Pledge-A-Thon is June 6 
The Relay For Life committee thanks all teams for participation in the annual Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser.
As has been posted here before, many teams organize specific money-raising ideas or events.

104.7 On Your FM Dial
The 7th annual Drive Thru Pledge-a-thon is taking place at Heart FM on Friday June 6, from 6 - 9 am. Drive on by the studio on Norwich Avenue to drop off a donation, grab a Tim Hortons coffee and take a shot on the crokinole board for your chance to win! This message from Liz Wismer and her Girlz Night Night team.
Members of the steering committee will be present at Heart FM assisting Liz with her pledge sheets, so you can receive a charitable donation receipt at this event.

The Rack Pack
Another team always promoting itself is The Rack Pack.
Once again this year, they are organizing the necklace making promotion at Relay. Purchase a string for $5 and on each lap around the CASS track you can pick up a free bead for your necklace. A great idea and for participants a great memento / keepsake of Relay For Life.
The team's online auction ends at 8 p.m. on June 9: You can check out the items at:  http://www.32auctions.com/RackPack
Relay For Life always wants to direct you to our Facebook page of 'Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life in Woodstock', but did you know the Rack Pack has its own FB page at 'The RACK PACK - Relay For Life Team'.

This was written with 8 days to go to Relay 2014.
Be sure to search other stories on this blog site, including the latest newsletter which has a full list of all-night games and activities, plus a listing of the entertainment. 

More information on how you can participate in Survivor Lap

Survivor Lap begins at 7 p.m.
Everyone participating in Relay For Life knows the importance of the Survivor Lap at the annual Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) fundraiser.
Monies raised from Relay are utilized by CCS in various areas, but supporting research is very important as studies continues to find a cure.
The Survivor Lap is a great way to recognize individuals who have beaten cancer or are winning their personal on-going battle.
The opening ceremony begins around 6:45 p.m., so the 12 hours of walking the CASS track can begin at exactly 7 p.m., and annually begins with the survivors.
All cancer survivors are encouraged to register and participate.
The ad below also notes many of the sponsors.

REGISTER TODAY: www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock

New Relay newsletter posted, plus more news !

Water Depot and Woodstock Print & Litho to host separate bbq events

If you attend the many scheduled charity barbecues for Relay For Life – you're supporting the Canadian Cancer Society.

Teams are also busy raising money through auctions, t-shirt sales and other similar projects.

Everything leads up to the CASS track at Relay For Life (June 13-14 at CASS).

BBQ Season

Water Depot

Team WATER DEPOT has scheduled its CHARITY BBQ for Saturday May 31 from 11 – 4, at M&M Meat Shop on Dundas Street in the Shoppers Drug Mart (east) plaza, beside the LCBO. You can enjoy a hamburger, drink and a bag of chips for a minimum $3 donation.

Woodstock Print & Litho

The traditional 7-day race to the finish line begins Friday, June 6 – one week before Relay and it will mark both Liz Wismer's Heart FM (104.7 FM) drive-thru pledge event (6 – 9 a.m.) and the annual Woodstock Print & Litho (Springbank Ave South) barbecue hosted by Craig and Brenda Ludington, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Let us know about your Relay For Life events – yard sales or any other team fundraiser.

RACK PACK

You can also participate in a fundraiser auction at: http://www.32auctions.com/RackPack

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com and be sure to also post it on Facebook at 'Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life in Woodstock' group.

RELAY RAP

Here's the latest newsletter with more info on the all-night activities at Relay, an update on Luminary sales, and a list of entertainment scheduled for June 13.

   

NEW NEWSLETTER

www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock

Celebrate . . . Remember . . . Fight Back

Call the Oxford unit office at (519) 537-5592.

CONTACTS:

Sandy Smith

Relay For Life co-chair

Email: megzmom@hotmail.com

(519) 456-5270

Bob Axon

Sponsorship committee and co-chair

Email: raxon@rogers.com

(519) 421-0806

Deb Moss

Relay For Life co-chair

Email: mmoss905@rogers.com

(519) 539-2288

Tracy Bucholtz

CCS – Oxford unit fundraising

Email: tbucholtz@ontario.cancer.ca

(519) 537-5592

Selling steeped tea is another great way to raise money for your Relay team

Stats say almost everyone drinks tea
A recent marketing statistic noted that 5 out of 6 adults drink tea.

So, if you're part of the 83.33% of the population enjoying a cup of tea you will be interested in this Relay For Life fundraiser to assist teams in collecting more dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society.

It is possible your Uncle Ralph and Aunt Betty are not tea drinkers, but the rest of your friends and relatives are. Ralph and Betty may even want to purchase tea for their friends and family.

There is a current Steeped Tea promotion where you can raise $4.80 from the purchase of a $12.00 package from Steeped Tea, and independent consultant Maartje vanWely, who is also from the Woodstock Relay For Life organizing committee.

“The fundraising is open to any team or team member that is looking for creative and additional ways to fundraise,” says vanWely. “Selling Steeped Tea is fun and easy.

“It’s a practical and popular product, and also makes a great gift,” she adds.

Check out the website www.mysteepedtea.com/Maartje for more details and how you can participate. There are 12 different flavours available in the promotion and 3 different infusers. Each package in the brochure (promotion) is $12 (shipping and handling included) and 40 percent of the product sales value will be donated to Relay For Life – or $4.80 per each $12 purchase.

For tea connoisseurs, you can also ask about the Tea Of The Month club.

Information is also available by contacting vanWely through Twitter at @TeaWithMaartje and through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/steepedteamaartje

“Happy tea sipping,” says vanWely. “Teams can contact me for a fundraising form and sell their tea right up to Bank Night on June 10.”

Email: steepteamaartje@hotmail.com

Relay For Life

To learn more about Relay For Life in Woodstock – June 13-14, 2014, plus background information on Oxford County events in Ingersoll (June 20) and Tillsonburg (June 6) as well, be sure to read other posts on this blog site.

To sign up or sponsor a participant, see: www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock or call the Oxford unit office at (519) 537-5592.

If you would like to contribute a story (Why you participate) or promote a Relay team fundraiser, send details to: mschadenberg@rogers.com. 

Celebrate . . . Remember . . . Fight Back

One parade, two barbecues, and one Liz Wismer

Allen Castle Building Centre & Woodstock Print & Litho among companies hosting upcoming benefit barbecues

If you attend several charity barbecues for Relay For Life – you're supporting the Canadian Cancer Society and then you should consider attending the Zumba fundraiser, and later walk several laps at the CASS track at Relay For Life (June 13-14 at CASS).

Many Relay teams organize fundraising events, such as the FUNdraising Day which was held on May 10.

In this space and on Facebook, the steering committee for Relay attempts to steer you to all the lead-up events.

This Saturday (May 17), for example, as part of Allen Castle Building Centre's current 51^st anniversary sale, the proceeds from their bbq will be donated to Relay For Life.

The traditional 7-day race to the finish line is Friday, June 6 – one week before Relay and it will mark both Liz Wismer's (pictured) Heart FM (104.7 FM) drive-thru pledge event (6 – 9 a.m.) and the annual Woodstock Print & Litho (16 Springbank Ave South) barbecue hosted by Craig and Brenda Ludington (www.woodstockprint.com), from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

We can't conclude this eating update without a moment to promote exercise:

Let us know about your Relay For Life events – yard sales, steeped tea sales or any other team fundraiser.

Luminary

Luminary sales continue at various locations around Woodstock, but are also on location at the Nellis Street fairgrounds farm market on Saturdays, beginning May 24. Each luminary is $5 and can be bought to either honour someone who passed away from cancer or to recognize someone still battling against cancer. 

Everyone Loves A Parade

Another Woodstock tradition is the Victoria Day parade on Monday, May 19 at 10 a.m. The parade begins at the fairgrounds and travels westward down Dundas Street until arriving at Southside Park. This year, the steering committee will be walking in the parade along with mascot Lumi to promote Relay For Life.

RELAY FOR LIFE

Relay For Life in Woodstock – June 13-14, at CASS track.

To sign up or sponsor a participant, see: www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock or call the Oxford unit community office at (519) 537-5592.

If you would like to contribute a story (Why you Relay), send details to: mschadenberg@rogers.com. 

Celebrate . . . Remember . . . Fight Back

4-H team among speakers at May 14 Captain's Night meeting

Community 4-H Club just one of many great Relay For Life teams in Woodstock

Everyone has a personal story about why they participate in Relay For Life.

The Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca) is an integral agency when the focus becomes: cancer research (http://www.cancer.ca/en/about-us/our-research/research-impact/?region=on), advocacy for cancer patients, cancer education, cancer prevention and studying demographics.

CCS has a game plan (http://www.cancer.ca/en/about-us/nationwide-strategic-plan/?region=on), but their work requires funding.

Relay For Life in Woodstock has more than 50 teams registered already for June 13-14, 2014 at CASS high school.

A second Captain's Meeting is Wednesday, May 14, 6:30 p.m. At Fanshawe College, but it's never too late to register your team.

At the site: www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock you can read about the success stories of several teams and 'how and why' they raise funds for CCS through Relay For Life.

Below, is the story of the Community 4-H Club. I think it's significant because above their goals of raising money for their own 4-H projects and activities, this group goes above and beyond, and raises significant dollars for Relay For Life too.

Read about the 4-H Woodstock Relay team (on-line or below), or better yet attend the May 14 Captain's Meeting and listen to one of their team members speak.

()()()()()()()()()()

Why we  Relay

Community 4-H

Our  Community 4-H Club  Team  is very excited about participating in this year's Canadian Cancer Society  Relay For Life  because  WE BELIEVE  that every step we take in Relay raises money to help the Canadian Cancer Society save lives.

All the 4-H participants have had someone that has been touched by cancer -- please help to make cancer history!

This is the 8th year the Community 4-H Club has participated in the Woodstock Relay for Life. In the past  7 years we have raised $47,583.00. We  were a Bronze Team in 2010 to being a Silver Team in 2011 and a Gold Team in 2012 & 2013. We were also a DREAM Team in 2013. And we have achieved these  goals thanks to your support.

The team has been busy since July 2013 to raise money by working with the Woodstock Agricultural Women helping at the food booth at Train & Nostalgia shows, ice cream scooping, selling pop & water at the Embro Tractor Pull,  Woodstock Fair setup & take down, poinsettia fundraiser, stone picking, cleaning up Roth Park with Oxford County Junior Farmers, 4-H pancake fundraiser at Jakeman's Maple Farm, roadside cleanup with Tavistock Men's Club  and collecting pop cans  & other returnable bottles/cans to be cashed in. Members also collect pledges.

To date  the Team  has raised over $6,262.00 for the 2014 Relay for Life, although this does not all show on our webpage at this time. This makes a total of over $53,845 over the past  8 years.

This year we are striving to receive a Gold Team award (raising over $10,000), become a Dream Team and raising over $60,000 in 8 years.

Even though the team has achieved goals -- we still need to achieve the goal of finding a cure for Cancer and continue to raise money to support those affected with Cancer. Please continue to donate money to help make Cancer history.

4-H is a youth leadership development program and this is an excellent opportunity to show what they have been learning.  Inspiring the youth in our communities, makes better  citizens in our communities.

The 4-H Ontario Vision is to share the value of a clear Head, loyal Heart, serving Hands and better Health with youth, volunteers and communities across Ontario.

()()()()()()()()()()

Relay For Life

To sign up or sponsor a participant, see: www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock, call the Oxford community office at (519) 537-5592, or visit 65 Springbank Ave North in Woodstock.

If you would like to contribute a story (Why you participate) or promote a Relay team fundraiser, send details to: mschadenberg@rogers.com. 

Celebrate . . . Remember . . . Fight Back

CONTACTS:

Sandy Smith

Relay For Life co-chair

Email: megzmom@hotmail.com

(519) 456-5270

Bob Axon

Sponsorship committee and co-chair

Email: raxon@rogers.com

(519) 421-0806

Deb Moss

Relay For Life co-chair

Email: mmoss905@rogers.com

(519) 539-2288

FUNdraiser Day is Saturday, May 10; as Relay For Life approaches

Several teams to combine forces in Foodland parking lot to raise money for their team and Relay

Relay For Life – a significant local Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser is June 13-14 in Woodstock, but with the actual event attracting over 500 participants, there are also many smaller events leading up to the annual Relay For Life.

FUNdraiser Day

The third annual FUNdraiser Day, for example, is Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Foodland (former Zellers) parking lot on Dundas Street. It marks a combined team effort as tables have been reserved by Relay teams to raise money in various ways – barbecue, face painting, garage sale, baked goods, used book sales, home preserves, and Relay Luminary sales.

The FUNdraiser Day is organized specifically to coincide with the day before Mother's Day, and is coordinated this year by Liz Wismer (pictured with team below) of Heart (104.7) FM. To participate with your team's table, email: liz@1047.ca.

“I started Relaying for my Nana, who passed away from cancer in 1997 – six weeks following her diagnosis,” says Wismer. “Today, I not only Relay for her, but for my other family, friends and co-workers who have battled this horrible disease; those who have battled, are continuing to battle and for those we lost.

“Relay for Life is such an unique event and I encourage anyone who has never attended to come out on June 13, or to attend the FUNdraiser Day and talk to organizers to see exactly what it is all about and then join with us as we Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back,” says Wismer, who has organized a team called Girlz Night Out for many years.

Relay For Life is a cooperative of many teams, as is the fundraiser day.

“It’s terrific to see various Relay For Life teams combine their efforts for a significant team fundraising event, and it also provides awareness and publicity for the actual Relay For Life (on June 13-14),” says Tracy Bucholtz, fundraising coordinator for Oxford CCS. “The FUNdraising Day has become a popular event and it’s great to see that it is organized for the day before Mother’s Day.”

Captain's Night

The second Captain's Night meeting is set for Wednesday, May 14, 6:30 p.m. at Fanshawe College on Finkle Street. Speakers will provide additional background on reaching Relay For Life participants and gaining awareness through social media (Facebook group: Canadian Cancer Society's Relay For Life in Woodstock, plus blog site of www.woodstockrelay.blogspot.com; and Twitter: WoodstockRelay and CCSOxfordCounty). Captain's Night also represents an opportunity to pick up team kits, book your campsite and bank night time, learn about team recruitment, cancer research initiatives, activities on the night of Relay, and share fundraising ideas.

Luminaries

The poignant Luminary Ceremony is at 10 p.m. on the night of Relay. The track at CASS will be surrounded by as many as 2,000 luminaries, which are lit at 10 p.m. to remember those who lost their battle to cancer and to honour survivors. During the ceremony, a large display spelling HOPE will be changed to CURE. Luminaries are for sale and/or promoted at various locations around the city (Scotiabank, No Frills, Boston Pizza, Swiss Chalet, several churches, and the CCS office at 65 Springbank Ave North), online at www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock and at the Saturday farm market at the Nellis Street fairgrounds beginning May 24.

Bucholtz notes the symbolism of the luminaries.

“One important aspect of Relay For Life is the opportunity for people to come together and remember loved ones or to celebrate a cancer survivor. Luminaries are candles placed in fireproof bags, bearing the names of loved ones who have faced cancer. Some celebrate cancer survivors, or provide support for those presently battling the disease and others help us honour and remember those gone too soon.

Luminaries are $5 each.

Volunteers

For more background details about registrations, sponsorships, volunteering, donating to the silent auction, registering as a survivor (Survivors Lap is at 7 p.m. as part of the opening ceremony), and assisting with the logistics of setting up the over-night camp at CASS, call the Oxford community office at (519) 537-5592

To sign up or sponsor a participant, see: www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock.

Oxford County

This year's Relay for Life other locales are at IDCI in Ingersoll is June 20-21, while the Tillsonburg Relay is June 6-7 at Annandale public school.

CONTACTS:

Sandy Smith

Relay For Life co-chair

Email: megzmom@hotmail.com

(519) 456-5270

Bob Axon

Sponsorship committee and co-chair

Email: raxon@rogers.com

(519) 421-0806

Deb Moss

Relay For Life co-chair

Email: mmoss905@rogers.com

(519) 539-2288

Tracy Bucholtz

CCS – Oxford community office fundraising

Email: tbucholtz@ontario.cancer.ca

(519) 537-5592

How many Canadians are diagnosed each year with cancer?

Facts about cancer compiled for Canadians
The full link to a story presented by Huffington Post Canada pertaining to many interesting stats and thoughts about cancer is below.
The opening paragraphs are more than an introduction, but also a good depiction of the Top 10 list to follow, which also includes a slide show of photos.

()()()()()()()()()

Cancer Statistics: 10 Facts That May Surprise You

The Huffington Post Canada  |  By Terri Coles 

Posted: 05/01/2014All those daffodils you've been seeing lately aren't just a sign that spring is here: they also symbolize the Canadian Cancer Society's efforts on raising awareness and money to fight cancer.

Cancer isn't one disease but is actually hundreds of different ones. With that in mind, we've assembled a list of 10 facts about cancer in Canada that may surprise you — some pleasantly, others not as much. We hope you read something here that helps you protect your health, or that of someone else you know.

The Deadly Truth 
Cancer causes about 30 per cent of all deaths in Canada: On average, 200 Canadians die of cancer each day, adding up to more than 75,000 deaths per year.

More Men Are Diagnosed 
Cancer diagnoses are slightly more common for men than women. On average this number is about 96,200 cases per year for men vs. 91,400 for women, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

4 Types Of Cancers Make Up More Than Half The Cases
Excluding non-melanoma skin cancers, 52 per cent of new cancers are one of four types: lung, breast, colorectal, or prostate. Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in 2013, according to the Canadian Lung Association. In the U.S., lung cancer kills more people each year than breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers combined.

()()()()()()()()()  

Related Link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/05/01/cancer-statistics-_n_5249156.html#slide=3690513

Chuck's Place Soda Shoppe info in new newsletter

The May newsletter is available now!
Check the in-box of your email for the May newsletter for Relay For Life in Woodstock 2014.
Find out who Lumi is?
Learn how you can participate or donate to the silent auction.
Details and contact information available on: team captain's meeting at Fanshawe College (May 14) and bank night (June 10). A reminder about FUNdraising day on Saturday, May 10.  
Find out more about Chuck's Place Soda Shoppe at Relay For Life this year. The soda shoppe is part of the theme 'Rediscover A Decade' and will be part of the Fight Back Zone.
You can certainly also read the newsletter right here.