Accept the baton
Still time to sign up for Relay For Life in Woodstock
By Mark Schadenberg
Relay For Life steering committee
The slogan might be 'Accept The Baton',
but for the Canadian Cancer Society's (CCS) Relay For Life, the motto
could read 'accept the challenge.'
The challenge is to raise money for
cancer research projects in an effort to find a cure. The CCS has many additional challenges, however.
Relay For Life in Woodstock is
Saturday, June 13, 6 p.m. - midnight at College Avenue Secondary
School. Registrations begin at 4 p.m. and dinner is served, beginning
at 5 p.m. The infield of the CASS track will still resemble a tent
city, but there is no formal numbering and site designations this
year.
As can be seen, the format has been
modified from previous years, but the challenge remains the same.
“Statistics note that 210 Canadians
die every single day from cancer,” notes Jan Cunningham, manager of
the Oxford community CCS office.
The CCS in Oxford has about 1,200
volunteers in total, adds Cunningham, many working to make Relay For
Life in Woodstock, Tillsonburg (June 6) and Ingersoll (June 19)
successful, but the organization also has, for example, 70 volunteer
drivers who escort patients to doctors appointment and chemotherapy
sessions.
“Relay For Life is the signature
event in Ontario for the cancer society,” says Cunningham.
Cancer research is only a small part
of where Relay For Life dollars are directed, however, as there is
also advocacy and education.
“Cancer prevention is important,”
continues Cunningham. “We know that about half of all cancers can
be prevented. We encourage screening and early detection too. People
can know that our office is there for you to come in and talk to us.”
Relay For Life in Woodstock is a 6-hour
walk this year after previously organized as an all-night walk for
participants.
Everybody at Relay this year must
register. The fee is $25 if you have not registered by an earlier
date, but this includes the meal. Survivors, by the way, register for $10.
“There's still time to register,”
says Cunningham. “You can register online and set your modest
fundraising goal.
“We also value all our volunteers and
it's not too late to sign up as a Relay volunteer.”
All participants and volunteers will be
fed, so there is a separate sub-committee for the food tent where
coordinating for a crowd of more than 500 is complex, but made easier
from sponsors Boston Pizza, Swiss Chalet, Pita Hut, Joe's Lunch, No
Frills, and of course Tim Horton's.
“It's a challenge organizing the food
for such a large group,” says Deb Sutherland. “We have quite a
list – our own logistics checklist as we plan our volunteers to set
up, pick up supplies, serve the food and of course clean up.”
Sutherland joined the organization of
Relay For Life because both her mom and a sister-in-law died from
cancer.
“I just wanted to help out. We're all
trying to find a cure. Everybody is touched by cancer in some way,”
Sutherland says.
Relay For Life also includes a solemn
Luminary ceremony at 8:45 to remember those who have passed away from cancer,
but also to recognize survivors. Luminaries are $5 and can be
purchased online and also at the event. The Luminary committee sponsor is Kinsdale Carriers again this year, while sponsors for the word 'HOPE' as it is changed to 'CURE' during the ceremony area Oxford Gardens retirement home, Smith-LeRoy Funeral Home and McFarlan Rowlands insurance.
On stage entertainment keeps the feet
moving around the track with well-known local band Green Onions,
along with George Straight cover singer Terry Empey among those in
the night's lineup.
Relay For Life: Ready? Set. Walk!
Green Onions
LINKS:
LINK TO: Sentinel-Review final promotion story:
http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2015/06/09/relay-for-life-preparations-underway-for-the-2015-event-at-college-ave-secondary-school
