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.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer Twelve hours of walking seems like nothing compared to cancer treatments. That's the idea behind the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Raising money and awareness for all types of cancer, the Relay for Life is a 12-hour campaign that is coming to Flin Flon. The Creighton Ball Diamond will be covered in tents, a stage and walkers this Sept. 10 as Flin Flon will host the event for the first time. In the works since November, the Relay for Life committee hope to see the support of 50 teams. Starting at 7 p.m., the relay runs for 12 consecutive hours. The Canadian Cancer Society event is held nationwide throughout the spring and summer. The annual event gets started with a Survivor Lap. In the Creighton, Flin Flon and Denare Beach are, local cancer survivors Ð who include those currently in treatment Ð are encouraged to participate in the lap. Virginia Leifso, an 18-year breast cancer survivor, participated in the Survivor's Victory Lap in Winnipeg a few years ago, but is looking forward to the whole event this year. Cancer survivors Sitting on the committee, Leifso says the majority of the committee is made up of cancer survivors. Teams, made up anywhere from two to 12 participants, are encouraged to register for the Relay For Life to help make cancer history. Participants will walk, following the Survivors Victory Lap, for 12 consecutive hours as they switch off with their team mates. Leifso says the time frame is left up to the teams whether someone walks for an hour of for five laps. To light the way, luminaries will be set along the path. Sold in honour of those who are fighting and have fought cancer, as well as those who lost the battle, the luminaries will outline the path. Teams can register online or through the Flin Flon Relay For Life committee for the September 12 event. The committee will be selling promotional items, such as water bottles and t-shirts at the yard sale at the Creighton Sportex, tomorrow. Leifso encourages everyone to sign up and help make the 50-team mark for the first Relay For Life, in Flin Flon.
