‘Relay for Life’ tops $40,000

Both the economic downturn and rain couldn’t put a damper on this year’s “Relay For Life” held overnight Friday at Pither’s Point as more than $40,000 was raised towards the fight against cancer.
“It went awesome,” said organizing committee member John Homer, noting that with only 14 teams and 165 people participating this year—down from previous years—they still were able to top the $40,000 mark.

“Everyone seemed to have fun all night long,” he enthused. “We had lots of young participants this year, up from other years, which really kind of brought a lot of life to it.”
The top fundraising team this year was Heron Landing’s Pink Ladies, who raised $7,334.96. The top individual fundraiser was Linda Angus, who raised $2,685.
Another $1,058.96 was raised through head-shavings in the evening.
The event kicked off under the big tent, with Couchiching First Nation Chief Chuck McPherson, Fort Frances deputy mayor Sharon Tibbs, and local resident and cancer survivor Kyleigh Ossachuk addressing the crowd, followed by warm-up activities led by Energy Fitness.
Then, dressed in yellow T-shirts, those who had survived their battle with cancer officially started off the relay at 7 p.m., walking a “victory lap” along the pathway marked with the luminaries people had adorned with the names of loved ones who had fought their own battle against cancer.
“I just want people to realize that all the money we raise tonight, for anything, is money that cancer research didn’t have before, so their donation is really important,” Ossachuk stressed later in the evening.
“Whether they donate to a certain kind of cancer or all different kinds of cancer, it all goes to help prevent and help prevent this awful, awful disease.”
Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at Christmas in 2005, Ossachuk said she first got involved in the “Relay for Life” when she still was undergoing treatments the following summer, and her mother suggested raising some money and putting in a team.
“So we did, and first year it was mostly family and stuff, so it wasn’t really organized and such, but then as we kept doing it and doing it, this is our fourth year, and this is, by far, I think it’s the best one,” she remarked.
“Our decorations are great and stuff. There’s friends, families, co-workers, the whole nine yards.”
With cardboard cars to wear and even a miniature race track at their campsite, Ossachuk’s team, “Team NASCAR,” garnered the award for best campsite.
They weren’t the only ones to dress up as other teams wore hula skirts, pink housecoats, carnival masks and sequins, and more.
“We’re walking in honour of our mom [Judy Carter] who passed away back in March from lung cancer,” noted Rachel Foster, whose team “On the Wings of Angels” walked the loop throughout the night.
“She had breast cancer in ’96-’97, and then she got lung cancer in the last few years.”
Participating in “Relay for Life” has been happening for years, added Foster’s sister, Rebecca Tolen, after their mother’s first battle with cancer.
“The Cancer Society helped out my family a lot when my mom was going through treatment,” noted Tolen. “There’s a lot of other families that need that kind of support and help, so that’s why we’re here to try to support them.”
And both sisters urged that one of the most important ways to beat cancer is through early detection.
“[People need to] not to be afraid to get checked out,” Tolen stressed. “[To] keep pushing until you get the answers.”
It’s a message that Pam Hawley—one of those who walked the survivors’ lap—also emphasized.
“Being aware of going to the doctor and regular check-ups certainly is something that everybody should be doing,” said Hawley, noting she was diagnosed early with stage one ovarian cancer in 2006.
“Immediately they were able to diagnose me, then bring me back for a second surgery,” she recalled. “I just had surgery, I didn’t have chemo or radiation therapy.”
One week before the 2006 “Relay for Life,” after these surgeries, Hawley was declared cancer-free—spurring her to put together a team with friends and family.
In 2007, a year after being cancer-free, she raised $1,200 by shaving off all her hair, then last year she was part of organizing committee.
While time constraints meant she just took part in the victory lap and volunteered some for this year’s “Relay,” she considers the event to be a great way to remember what happened to her, as well as how hard the battle against cancer has been for other people.
“I was off pretty easy,” Hawley admitted. “Early diagnosis and quick treatment really helped me out.
“I still have to go about every three-six months for check-ups, so I’m still reminded of it, but it certainly was half the battle that some people have.
“So just the idea that people walk all night in support of people that are having a real struggle is important,” she stressed.
There also were many volunteers who turned out to help, noted Homer, who extended them a thank you—especially to the local Girl Guides who served pizza on Friday evening, as well as took the time earlier last week to sort and fill 165 bags—complete with a T-shirt—for all 165 participants.
“And then we had a flood of volunteers show up [Saturday],” Homer said. “We had 20 people show up to do this tent [Friday], which was a huge deal getting this thing put up.
“We didn’t have to pay anybody to do it, so that saved a lot of money for the ‘Relay’ this year.
“I think it went off really well, it was an awesome event,” Homer added.
With this year’s “Relay” wrapped up, the 2010 edition already is on the horizon.
“We are looking for people next year for team captains, teams, volunteers,” Homer said.
“We actually need some committee members, so if anybody’s interested, please give any one of us a call,” he urged.