Meeting the people and hearing the stories keeps Relay for Life co-ordinator Cathy Briggs’ passion alive.
“Cancer touches so many people, there’s a lot of sad stories but so many positive stories as well,” she said.
“The people are inspirational, they’re our superheroes.”
And that’s the theme for this year’s 10th Anniversary Relay for Life Celebrate your Superhero.
Relay leadership team with Captain C Red and team members wearing the coveted red T-shirts will be on site May 28.
“We called ourselves C Red because that’s how we feel when we see people engaging in risky behaviour like smoking, knowing it could cause cancer,” said team member Carolyn Draginov.
In the lead up to Relay, silent auction items (a Relay event for the past three years) will be on display, with bid sheets on hand, at Circle “S” Western Wear beginning May 16.
Auction items include an Alex Burrows Canucks jersey, a handmade, memorial angel doll, high quality sunglasses (valued at $230), more than $100 gift certificate for Benjamin Moore stain, two service certificates for heating systems, assorted baby accessories and much more.
The silent auction is open to anyone who’s willing to place a bid. Items will be moved to LeBourdais Park for Relay day where bidding is from 1 – 4 p.m.
Organizers have tweeked the day of the event with such additions as an expanded track configuration. Called the scenic tour, the new leg of the track cuts through the centre with all sorts of activities, information and celebrations along the path.
This year’s luxury tent winner (the team with the most participation points leading up to Relay day) just needs to show up and decorate with their team spirit.
The centrally-located tent, sponsored by Canadian Tire and City Furniture, includes luxurious furnishings and massages from Sacred Lotus.
Teresa Malone, massage therapist, of Sacred Lotus will also be offering on site massages for $10 for 10 minutes with all proceeds to Relay. Survivors receive free massages.
Again this year at 3 p.m. on Relay day, sponsored by Outer Limits, for
a $10 donation people can have their head shaved for the cause.
Relay day is packed with activities, entertainment, information and inspiration as teams beat a path around the track raising funds for Canadian Cancer Society programs and services.
By the end of Relay, approximately 200 volunteers have made the event possible.
But Briggs said Relay day isn’t just for the teams.
“The entire community is welcome to drop
by LeBourdais Park and participate,” she said.
Relay begins with opening ceremonies at 10:45 a.m. and ends with the remember ceremony and candlelight laps at 9:45 p.m. and closing ceremonies at 10:30 p.m.
There’s still time to register a team for the May 28 Relay for Life with a registration fee of $15 per team member.
Call Briggs at 250-747-2510, cell, 250-983-3900, e-mail ebriggs@bc.cancer.ca, or call the Quesnel office, 250-992-6551.
