The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Flin Flon is often referred to as a generous community that comes together in a time of need. This past weekend was strong evidence of that as the Relay for Life brought in just shy of $150,000 for the fight against cancer _ nearly $120,000 in cash and about $30,000 in in-kind donations. Co-chair of team development Nicole Leifso says expectations were surpassed. 'Last (time) they raised over $70,000 and we wanted anything over that,' said Leifso. 'And we exceeded that.' Leifso and co-chair Ashley Thompson were proud members of the Thompson's Toughones team as they walked in memory of Thompson's late husband Dustin. Thompson's Toughones were among 25 teams this year _ five fewer than the area's last Relay for Life, held in 2011. But the Flin Flon area came together once again as more walkers participated to exceed the committee's fundraising goal. 'Some teams had relayed before so they knew what to expect and they were more on board with fundraising,' said Leifso. Thompson's Toughones were among the top fundraisers as their team alone brought in over $13,000. In Memory Walking in memory of Dustin, Ashley says she knows he would have loved to participate in the event. 'He was in the 2011 Relay when he had cancer,' she said, noting that the couple came back to Flin Flon in the middle of radiation treatments to participate. Tragically, Dustin lost his battle to cancer in 2012. 'I just always kept thinking about him walking the survivor lap,' said Ashley at this year's event. 'It was very emotional. 'I just kept thinking he should still be here walking the Survivor Lap.' With plenty of support from friends and family, Ashley says she knows she would have made Dustin proud. 'He would be very proud of me for the work I did and being the team captain,' she said. The Relay itself raised over $100,000 and Ashley says she knows firsthand how that money gets spent by the Canadian Cancer Society. 'He (understood) the importance of that money and where that money goes,' Leifso said about Dustin. Ashley and Dustin made countless trips to larger cities for treatments and appointments. Ashley says it's events like the Relay for Life that make those treatments and trips possible. The Thompsons aren't the only ones in the Flin Flon area who have had help through the Canadian Cancer Society. The first lap of the relay was walked by cancer survivors, who wore yellow shirts as they made their way around the Creighton ball diamond for the Survivor Lap. Roughly 50 survivors walked, but Leifso says there are more cancer survivors than that in the area. 'I work at the hospital, so I wasn't shocked to see the amount of yellow shirts,' she said. 'I know there were lots missing.' Signs at the Relay for Life informed of the improvements in cancer survival rates over the years. 'The number of survivors is increasing and today's survival rate is 63 per cent,' she said. 'And we're seeing more survivors because of events like this.' Continued research is helping to stack the odds against cancer. Cancer patients don't get to take a break from being sick, and that was a message well received at this year's event. The Relay for Life is a 12-hour event where at least one member of each team is on the track at all times to show their support for the fight against cancer. See 'Amazed' on pg. Continued from pg. 'I was just amazed by how many were awake and walking,' said Ashley. 'Last time, there were a lot who slept during laps, but cancer doesn't sleep. 'For 12 hours the least we can do is show support to survivors and those who have lost their lives.' To help keep participants awake for the 12 hours _ 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. _ there were food booths, coffee, massages, entertainment and plenty of conversations going. Ashley says just a day after the Relay for Life was finished one business was already thinking about the next event and what they will be doing for a booth. The Flin Flon area will see the Relay for Life back in 2015 _ with hopes of hosting it earlier in the summer. Without the support of the business, teams, volunteers, and the community, both Leifso and Ashley agree this event could not have been successful.
