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Saugeen Shores, ON - The Saugeen Shores Relay For Life Committee has
begun organizing the 2nd annual Relay For Life event to be held at the
Saugeen District Secondary School grounds. The popular Canadian Cancer
Society fundraising event will have a theme for 2010- “Canada &
Community Proud!” Participating teams, volunteers and the Saugeen Shores
community are encouraged to show their pride in being Canadian and in
their home community.
Last year, this first-time event involved all ages and saw the community
of Saugeen Shores work as a whole to welcome 576 participants who
travelled from across Southwestern Ontario to attend the June event, and
recognize and support over 100 cancer survivors as they walked the first
lap of this emotional, exciting and fun 12 hour relay.
The 2009 Relay raised $167,103 which would not have been possible
without Saugeen Shores residents and local businesses supporting the
event with donations and funds, sponsoring participants, teams, and
becoming first-time event sponsors, and the many individuals who donated
their time as Relay committee and on-site volunteers.
The Saugeen Shores Relay For Life Committee is excited to have the
opportunity to host the event again at SDSS and notes that this would
not be possible without the support and cooperation of the Bluewater
School Board and its staff, and the local business community and its
eager and enthusiastic event volunteers.
The Saugeen Shores Relay For Life organizing committee welcomes all who
wish to be part of the fun and excitement to contact one of the event
chairpersons, a team member or visit www.relayforlife.ca to obtain more
information on how to become involved as a volunteer, survivor, sponsor,
and participant or to enter a relay team. The public is invited to come
out and cheer on participants and “Help Make Cancer History!”
Chairing the 2010 Saugeen Shores Relay For Life event this year are:
Nancy MacLeod (519) 797-3355 or (519) 832-5146, Trish Bernard (519)
389-9192 or Rona Cobean (519) 389-4954.
This Emotional and Exciting Event Brings Cancer Survivors,
Their Friends and Families Together To
CELEBRATE REMEMBER FIGHT BACK
BACKGROUND ON THE RELAY FOR LIFE EVENT:
The Canadian Cancer Society signature event Relay For Life involves
teams of 10 people who participate in an overnight non-competitive
relay. Team members take turns walking, running or strolling around an
event track. Teams consist of people representing communities, families,
friends and corporations. Teams camp out overnight; many teams decorate
their campsites are according to an individual theme chosen by its
members. The event takes place overnight to reflect the fact that cancer
never sleeps.
Survivorship Activities - At each Relay For Life, cancer
survivors are invited to walk in the Survivors’ Victory Lap, the first
lap of the event, to acknowledge and celebrate their courage in their
struggle with the disease. Watching hundreds of survivors walk proudly
around the track is inspiring and touching.
Luminary Ceremony - A special Luminary Ceremony is held to
remember those who lost their fight with cancer, to support those who
currently have the disease, and to honour those who have survived
cancer. Luminaries are small lights of hope that line the Relay For Life
track. Each luminary bears the name of a loved one who has either
survived cancer, or lost his or her life to the disease. The luminaries
provide light and inspiration to Relay participants, as they walk
throughout the night.
Opening and Closing Ceremony - Each Relay For Life event begins
with an Opening Ceremony. This ceremony includes a Survivors’ Victory
Lap walked by cancer survivors, which reminds everyone why they are at
Relay For Life. The Survivors’ Victory Lap provides an emotional and
powerful start to the event and sets the tone for the entire occasion.
The Closing Ceremony gives participants the opportunity to celebrate the
success of the event.
Fundraising - Team members are asked to pay a registration fee- a
minimum of $10 to reinforce each participant’s commitment to taking part
in the Relay For Life and in fundraising for the Canadian Cancer
Society. The fee covers a portion of the costs associated with the
event. Each team member is asked to raise a minimum of $100 in pledges,
which helps support excellent research, and provide information and
support services for people living with cancer.
Cancer Education - Relay For Life promotes programs, services and
cancer prevention offered by the Canadian Cancer Society. The event is
the focal point for activities that are fun and educational. Relay
activities focus on the Society’s five national priorities: funding
research, primary prevention, advocacy, information, and support
services.
Tobacco and Alcohol-free Environment - The Canadian Cancer
Society recognizes with deep concern the relationship between cancer and
the use of tobacco. The Society acts, therefore, as an example in
tobacco control by prohibiting the use of tobacco at its events. Smokers
are welcome participants at the Relay, but they must respect the
smoke-free requirements. As well, to ensure Relay For Life is a family
fun event, the venue is alcohol-free.
Nancy MacLeod
Saugeen Shores Relay Event Chairperson
519 797-3355 or 519-832-5146
Email: NMacLeod@millerinsurance.ca
Anne Marie Watson, Manager
Canadian Cancer Society, Bluewater Unit
519 376-6011 x 3231
Email: awatson@ontario.cancer.ca
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