Norquay School raises $17K with student-led Relay for Life

NORQUAY — The Norquay School took on the huge challenge of emotionally and physically organizing and hosting a Relay for Life event. The youth committee members from the school were the main organizers of the event held on May 30 at the Norquay School. Committee members were: Summer Johnson, Rowyn Johnson, Bristol Lindgren, Jada Jacobs, Brody Gulka, Issac Johnson and Ashlyn Olson.

Olson was the mistress of ceremonies for the opening and closing ceremonies.

“Cancer can affect everyone, and it is up to everyone to make a difference,” said Olson.

The Relay for Life raised over $17,000, with donations still being collected.

“We are very happy with the amount raised,” said Jeannette Ebert, teacher organizer. “The event was great until the smoke came in, but we made the best of a bad situation, and we were able to move into the school. The luminary ceremony was touching and showed the students the value of having the event. It truly brought forward how cancer affects everyone,” she said.

Before the closing ceremony, survivors were encouraged to take a special lap in honour of their fight against cancer. It was followed by an emotional luminary ceremony, where everyone had the opportunity to walk around silently, paying tribute to those who lost their lives to cancer.

“The event was born through an idea by the youth,” said Ebert. “Students were inspired through a leadership conference and dedicated the Relay for Life in honour of staff members who are currently going through cancer and especially their fallen classmate, Cheyenne Peterson, who was not only a friend and teammate but a truly special person who succumbed to cancer at the age of only 16 years old,” she said.

“We hope that everyone who was touched or participated in the Relay — walking laps with your team, enjoying fun activities and entertainment, celebrating cancer survivors in your community, remembering those that we have lost to this terrible disease. Thanks to your participation and fundraising leading up to the event, we are taking steps toward a brighter future together.

“Today, nearly half of Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. But with your help, we’re funding ground-breaking research and able to provide a national support system for people with cancer, their caregivers, and their families.

“We’re so grateful for your support of Relay. It shows Canadians affected by cancer that they never have to walk alone,” concluded Ebert.