2nd Annual Relay for Life in Saugeen Shores

Health & Fitness

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This year's 'Cancer Survivor' who started the walk was Judy Gareau (L) of Southampton, a 10-year survivor

Gareau's family, part of the M.A.S.H. team were all there in support: (L)Sister Linda Leach, sister, Deanna Tremblay, husband Louis, granddaughter Hannah, son-in-law Brian Reich, Judy, granddaughter, Kourtney and daughter Karrie

The second annual Relay for Life in Saugeen Shores once again got off to a big start with almost 50 teams having signed up to walk in the event.

The Relay is a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society and last year's first-ever event raised more than $176,000.

The walk begins at 7:00 p.m. and runs through the night until 7:00 a.m. the following day with the final lap, as team members take turns to walk the track at the local high school in Port Elgin.

Event Co-Chairs Nancy MacLeod, Trish Bernard & Rona Cobean listen to Cancer Society representative Louis Coulman

The Saugeen Shores Relay  is organized entirely by volunteers and there is a wide variety of musical entertainment on the main stage throughout the entire night keeping people entertained.

All cancer 'survivors' dressed in yellow

Jacquie Babineau (L) and Ashley King shed their locks in support

In addition, there was a head shaving event  while, the main event of the night remained the lighting of the luminaries.

Luminaries line the track

Each luminary consists of a white bag with sand and a candle inside.  On the outside of the bag is a loved one's name who has died of cancer and a remembrance message.  The bags line the large oval track and, this year, there were approximately 2,000 luminaries. 

Piper, Dave Wilson, let the 'luminary' walk-past

As the sun set, a bagpiper played the hymn Amazing Grace and then in a 'pied-piper' fashion lead the hundreds of walkers around the track in the dark with only the luminaries lighting the ' way. 

Tents and camper trailers are everywhere and teams  have set up unique displays ranging from a M.A.S.H. unit with camouflage tents to a mini-hockey rink by the local girls' hockey team.  Displays were then judged in four categories by the organizing committee.

While the focus of the event is to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society, it is also an opportunity for families and friends to come together in a common purpose, as survivors of cancer, caregivers of those with the disease and in remembering those who lost their battle with cancer.

It is an emotional event with lots of laughter but also many tears.

Each team raises money through pledges and, this year, the team raising the most money and known as  'Remembering Paul', raised more than $9,800.

A final total will not be known for several days.

(L) Alice & John Kain, Melanie Mitchell & Lysanne Millar of the 'Putanend to Cancer' team

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Sunday, July 11, 2010