A Canora team led by Chris Bilsky received the Emerald Team Award for being the top fundraiser in the Yorkton Relay For Life which started Friday evening and concluded Saturday morning.
The $15,343 collected in pledges was the highest total recorded by any team in the five years that the event was organized in Yorkton.
Collecting $6,000 in pledges by herself, Katie Ochitwa, a member of Bilsky’s team, received the award for top individual fundraiser.
Participating in Relay For Life is an emotional experience, but this year it was even more emotionally charged as the team was organized as a tribute to Lorraine Naduriak, who died on January 19,
said Bilsky. Not only was Naduriak a long-time coworker, she was a friend to so many.
The registered name of the team was “Chris Conquers Cancer #2 – Rockin’ and Walkin’ in Memory of Lorraine.”
The commitment to raise funds to support cancer cure/treatment research has deep personal meaning to Bilsky as she has overcome cancer twice and that’s why “#2” is part of the team’s name. To address the theme of “Rockin’ and Walkin’ in Memory of Lorraine,” the team members wore “poodle skirts” which was the fashion of the 1950s rock-and-roll era, said Bilsky.
The team had old-time rock music playing when the members were introduced during the first lap and the music kept playing at the team’s campsite through the night.
Bilsky’s team also won the award for the most luminaries sold. Luminaries are purchased in memory of loved ones and friends who fought cancer. During the course of the relay, as darkness set in, a very emotional ceremony was held as the luminaries were lit to illuminate the entire track. Her team members noted that it was amazing how many of the luminaries were dedicated to Naduriak.
Registered members of the team with Bilsky were: Carol Sleeva, Corrine Wingert, Katie Ochitwa, Kathy Dergousoff, Sharon Cymbalisty, Deb Pozniak, Senkow, Deb Gabora, Nicole
Collins, Gina Rakochy, Tracey Rowland, Bev Andrews and Julia Westerman.
There was also a number of individuals who did a lot of work to help with fundraising, said Bilsky.
Two names that quickly came to mind were Patty Kolodziejski and Del Palagian. The whole community deserves a huge thank you because it is individuals contributing and supporting the cause that makes Relay For Life possible, she said.
“We couldn’t do it without everyone’s help. It is greatly appreciated.”
