The Relay for Life has officially kicked off as volunteers and participants gathered at the Flin Flon Community Hall over the weekend for a barbecue, games and live entertainment.
Due to the less-than perfect weather conditions last Saturday, June 13, the event scheduled for Pioneer Square was moved to the hall.
Leadership Committee chairwoman Margot Gray says though the weather likely deterred many people from coming, she was still pleased with the turnout of more than 100.
The kick-off party helped to answer questions for the Relay for Life as well as offer the opportunity for area residents to sign up as a volunteer or register their team.
Gray excitedly announced another three teams signed up over the weekend to raise both money and awareness for cancer research.
Relay scheduled
Cancer doesn’t sleep and neither will participants in Creighton’s third Relay for Life, scheduled for September 12 and 13.
For 12 hours, participants will walk a pre-set track at the Creighton ball diamond as committee members and volunteers work to keep alternating team members awake.
In years past, the stage has been busy with live entertainment, games and a DJ as well as testimonies from cancer survivors and caregivers throughout the night.
Creighton hosted the event in support of the fight against cancer in 2013 and 2011, making the commitment to host every other year.
Last year, local participants helped to raise $98,000 towards the fight to end cancer.
Gray says while the Canadian Cancer Society urges communities to try and top previous contributions, the local committee has set the goal to match the 2013 donation in light of the recent strike situation at Hudbay.
“People are struggling with the labour issues so we want to be conscious about that,” says Gray. “Things are picking up now, though.”
Gray says if the community can reach the goal, they will be pleased.
Like many others, Gray has been touched by cancer in many ways – including her own diagnosis.
“Other than my surgery, mine wasn’t a big deal,” says Gray, who had the option to receive chemotherapy, but chose not to.
On the one-year anniversary of her surgery, Gray lost her father after his six-week battle with cancer.
“My dad’s just came on so suddenly,” says Gray. “We didn’t have time to prepare.”
Gray had kept her own diagnosis quiet, as she says it was “nothing compared to what others go through.”
“Mine was a walk in the park,” she says.
Gray says she has always been passionate about the Relay for Life.
An emotional portion of the event is during the Survivor’s Victory Lap, held in every Relay for Life event to kick-off the evening.
“It gives hope and inspiration to others going through it,” says Gray. “There is hope.”
Gray says the walk provides hope not only for those going through cancer currently, but also for the future.
“It shows that every year more and more people are surviving,” she says. In Creighton alone, about 250 people walked in the Victory Lap in 2013.
“We’re striving to eradicate [cancer] 100 per cent,” Gray said. “There is already a much better survival rate.”
Following the victory lap, teams will walk for the next 12 hours in honour and memory of those who have lost their battle, continue to fight for their lives and who are caregivers to those diagnosed with cancer.
Teammates will alternate throughout the evening as live entertainment and games will keep them awake. In past years, resting teammates have played games like Name That Tune and Minute To Win It.
Registration
Teams are eligible to register up until the event starts, though Gray encourages all teams to do so before the start of September.
Registrations can be done online at relayforlife.ca or by calling Gray herself.
The committee will hold a bank night next Thursday, June 25 at the Victoria Inn for teams to turn in any funds they have raised so far.
Teams will also be able to register at the bank night.
For those looking to volunteer with the Relay for Life, contact Gray at 204-687-3163.
