Bay of Quinte Relay for Life Facebook photo
For decades, Relay for Life has been an important tradition in the Bay of Quinte area.
It’s also a signature fundraising event for the Canadian Cancer Society and offers people a chance to come together and honour loved ones lost and those still fighting, along with survivors.
“The key message is always celebrate, remember and stand together, and come walk with us,” shares Karen White, volunteer director for the Bay of Quinte Relay for Life.
This year’s local Relay for Life will again be held at Trenton High School on Saturday, June 6 starting at 2 p.m. and wrap up a bit earlier and closer to 10 p.m.
“(This is so) it’s dark enough for us to appreciate the candles that are being lit in memory of and in honour of people (who) we’ve either lost to cancer or are still living with cancer.”
Closing ceremonies will follow.
Earlier in the day, several other long-time traditions are also returning, such as opening ceremonies set for 2 p.m., and the Lap of Hope led by pipers. The Hope Lounge is also returning at 1 p.m.
Opening ceremonies will be followed by the most powerful speeches of the day, which will be given by a Participant of Hope, adds White.
Registration will open at noon, offering folks a chance to start bringing in their tents and supplies and get set up around the track.
Throughout the day, there will be several activities, games like musical chairs, a poker run and conga line, as well as themed laps planned, food trucks, music, entertainment and more, says White.
Several residents, groups, businesses and communities, including Brighton, have also already answered the call to participate and help fundraise crucial dollars.
In addition to helping fund the brightest minds in cancer research, Relay for Life raises monies to help people get to cancer treatments, access peer support programs and helps provide wigs, headwear and breast prostheses, the society reports.
And locally, Bay of Quinte is already well on its way to meeting this year’s local fundraising goal.
And then there are several other teams also excelling in fundraising, adds White.
“We’ve got one team that’s already brought in $9,000 and a couple of others that are bringing in $4,000 each, so we’re doing really well (and) we’re being well supported by our teams.”
At press deadline, about 30 teams had already registered, leading White to believe this will be a huge turnout at the high school this year.
For those looking to get involved, there is still time to register a team, as an individual or Participant of Hope. These details, along with donation information, are accessible online here.
White also encourages residents to follow along the Bay of Quinte Relay for Life Facebook page.
An information night for participants is also planned for May 25 at the high school at 7 p.m.
Relay for Life has been bringing people together since 1999 to take on cancer. The event sees people taking turns walking around tracks or paths to symbolize the perseverance and action needed to improve lives and change the future of cancer forever, says the society.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
