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Relay for Life returns Friday

June 10, 2015   ·   0 Comments

This Friday evening, an event that has become one of inspiration, encouragement and entertainment to many people in the area returns to the Orangeville Fairgrounds for the sixth time.

The event, which occurs across Canada annually, is the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. It has become one of the biggest ones for the cancer community, not just in the funds raised, but with the level of participation from cancer survivors, cancer fighters, their loved ones and anyone who wants to be supportive.

“To us, it’s become about a feeling; it’s a big, happy family full of people who know and understand what a battle cancer is,” said Lori Robertshaw, organizer of the Dufferin Relay for Life. “Each year, we’ve polled people afterwards, and the biggest response to why they love it is the feeling it creates. There’s a lot of community spirit, love and support. It’s a celebration, it’s about remembrance, and it’s about encouraging people to push forward.”

In its first five years, the Dufferin Relay for Life has raised about $120,000 each year for the Cancer Society, putting the total raised so far at $600,000.

The money raised goes towards a number of things to benefit cancer patients, including cancer research, clinical trials, and Drivers for Hope. The event also hosts a special portion of the evening to honour the drivers, who volunteer their time to drive patients to and from the hospital for treatments, whether locally or out of town. The funds raised at the event go to help cover mileage and gas, which is otherwise paid for out of their own pockets.

In the past, the Dufferin Relay for Life has followed an overnight format set by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS).  This year, the CCS provided other options for organizations to try, and so the relay on Friday night will run from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m., rather than until the following morning.

“It’s still going to be the same fabulous Relay we’ve had in the past,” said Ms. Robertshaw. “We’re going to have our luminary ceremony, the first lap dedicated to our survivors, then the caregivers, and finally the teams. It’s the same fun evening we’ve had in the past, just jam-packed into six hours of fun.”

Along with food and entertainment, there is also the annual special survivors’ dinner, which is run fully on donations.

“None of the food, entertainment or special focuses we have come out of the bottom line from the fundraising,” explained Ms. Robertshaw. “Everything is run by volunteers and comes in as donations from our many supporters. The community really pulls through for us each year.”

She added that the sponsors and donors all deserve a huge thanks for their continued support because the event couldn’t run without them.

“The event is such a big deal because cancer is something that touches everyone,” she said. “It’s definitely our sponsors, volunteers and teams that really bring the event together. We have teams that dress up and participate in theme laps, and everyone just really goes all out to make this an amazing event.”

This year has been a bit of a challenge to bring in volunteers and teams, but whether it’s all the other events going on this month (including the Pan Am Torch relay) or the change in format, it’s been difficult to fully assess. Team registration and volunteers are at about half the amount as usual, which has caused a bit of a struggle.

“We’re really just giving this all a try,” added Ms. Robertshaw. “The Canadian Cancer Society as a whole revamped the event and provided other options. They invited us to try something new, so we’re giving it a shot.”

She explained that several factors went into the idea of trying the new format, including considerations of weather and the age of some of the participants. At last year’s event, the temperature plummeted to a chilling four degrees, making it very cold for people to camp out. In past years, they have dealt with rain, thunderstorms, and other difficult weather as well. As well, some families that come out with younger children, which could be even more difficult to stay for the night, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

“We are hoping to go back to the 12-hour format next year, depending on how the relay goes this weekend,” said Ms. Robertshaw. “We won’t go back to the overnight, but we’re thinking we might try running it from noon until midnight. Not everyone walks for the 12 hours, so it doesn’t necessarily make the event any more difficult for people.”

One of the many great things about the Relay for Life is that it provides the means for survivors and caregivers, as well as those who may be undergoing treatment currently, to meet others in their shoes, and meet them in their own backyard.

“We can share together in each others’ stories – in our triumphs, our struggles, and where they have taken us,” said Ms. Robertshaw. “It really is more than a fundraising event; it’s a relay for family.”

The Dufferin Relay for Life will be held at the Orangeville Fairgrounds on Mono’s 5 Sideroad this Friday, June 12, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. They are still looking for volunteers to help clean up on Saturday morning, and all members of the public are welcome to come out and check out the event.

For more information on the Relay, to make a donation, volunteer or register a team visit http://convio.cancer.ca/ and click on the Relay For Life logo to find the Dufferin location, or contact Lori Robertshaw at lori.dufferinrelay@gmail.com.

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