The third annual Relay For Life in Saugeen Shores was held July 8th and 9th at Saugeen District Secondary School, and the local volunteer committee together with the Canadian Cancer Society (Bluewater Unit) are very pleased with the results again this year.  The total amount raised at the 2010 Saugeen Shores event came to $116,172 bringing the three year total to more than $450,172. This Relay event is sponsored by Bruce Power. 

Relay for Life is the Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser and it’s unique in that it’s a 12-hour overnight event --- symbolizing that cancer doesn’t sleep. Relay is a celebration of survival, a tribute to the lives of loved ones, a re-commitment to fighting back against cancer and a night of fun, friendship, and fundraising to beat cancer. 

“Money raised at Relay helps the Canadian Cancer Society fund promising research, implement prevention programs, provide local services to cancer patients and their families and carry out advocacy initiatives,” explains Brenda O’Neill, Fundraising Coordinator with the Bluewater Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society in Owen Sound.  “Living in a rural area, the Society’s transportation services and peer support programs are well-utilized by our clients. Clients say these types of programs lessen the burden of travelling to cancer-related appointments for cancer patients and their families.” 

Funds raised in Saugeen Shores help support local families and individuals; 130 local volunteer drivers made 6,176 trips to cancer-related appointments for 256 local residents in 2010.  Drivers travelled a staggering total of 857,610 kilometres. The Bluewater Unit reimbursed local families and tireless volunteer drivers over $306,000 in 2010. 

The Family Transportation Program provided financial assistance to 21 families whose child was being treated for cancer. Fundraising activities such as the sale of daffodil pins in April, special events like the Relay For Life in Saugeen Shores, and local memorial and personal donations throughout the year provide support for this much-needed program. 

Newly-diagnosed cancer patients have the opportunity to talk to cancer survivors or past caregivers to get advice and support at a difficult time through the Society’s Peer Support program. In 2010, five local Peer Support volunteers connected with people locally, and across Canada. This one-on-one support is invaluable and comforting for those on a cancer journey. 

Event Co-Chair, Rona Cobean says. ”One of the reasons I became involved in Relay For Life and have continued my involvement for the past three years was because money raised from our event does go to help the Canadian Cancer Society to fund some of the most promising research cancer research in the world.” And Cobean knows first hand the impact that funds designated for Research Funding can have on a cancer survivor, their family and friends.  

 ““When my daughter Caitlyn was first diagnosed we were told that fives years previously the prognosis for the brain cancer she had was extremely poor. But because of research funding by the Canadian Cancer Society my daughter’s prognosis was much improved. We had her for 19 months. Because of the funds raised at events like Relay For Life and the Canadian Cancer Society funding research for the cancer Caitlyn had, we had our daughter a lot longer. We as a family couldn’t begin to put a price on those extra months?  

Money raised at our Relay event benefits local residents and cancer survivors, and makes a difference to family members living in Ontario and other provinces. This research is needed if we are going to fight back against this terrible disease. 

Like others on our committee, the volunteers, and the participants we understand that money raised by our event is definitely needed for to fund cancer research, to help with local support programs and assist cancer patients- just diagnosed, in treatment, in remission or who have been deemed cancer free.” 

Nancy MacLeod, Co-Event Chair for the Relay adds, ““A huge thank you to everyone in the community including those that walked, pledged a team member, donated a prize or sponsored a portion of the program …everyone’s help made it memorable and successful. We couldn’t have done it without all of you,” This is a true community event in every sense, with 32 teams, 299 participants, 160 volunteers, 70 cancer survivors, and our local businesses supporting this wonderful fundraiser and fully involved in our event.  All ages were celebrating, remembering and fighting back against this disease that takes so many from us. That was evident with 748 luminaries purchased as a tribute to cancer survivors from our community and across Canada. 

Brenda O’Neill offers the Canadian Cancer Society’s appreciation to all involved in this successful event, “It’s with much gratitude that I pass along my thanks to all teams, donors and local businesses for supporting this wonderful fundraiser. A huge thank you also to event co-chairs Rona Cobean and Nancy MacLeod along with their fantastic volunteer committee for organizing Relay in Saugeen Shores … they too are a Relay team, and their time and dedication is very much valued by the Society.”  

Top Five Fundraising Teams at Relay For Life – Saugeen Shores:

1. Balls to Cancer $23,010.51      

    Team Captain: Jake Walton

 

2. Sully’s Angels $4,942.80            

    Team Captain: Nicole Craig

 

3. Cancer Survivors Team $4,805.00       

    Team Captain: Catherine Dianne “Mini” Jacques

 

4. Balls to Cancer – Team 2 $4,617.00   

    Team Captain: Nicole Walton

 

5. MASH $4,520.00         

    Team Captain: Donna Chappelle

Thank you to ALL teams for fundraising and helping to Fight Back against cancer.

Your time and support is so appreciated.