The number of participants and teams might have been lower than in previous years, but that didn't diminish the emotional impact of the 10th annual Relay for Life in Estevan.
This year's Relay was held from 5 p.m. on Saturday night to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning at Affinity Place. Six teams were part of this year's event, and they raised $38,213.16 for the Canadian Cancer Society's cancer prevention, research and support initiatives.
The total includes the $10,009.65 previously raised through the Mini-Relay for Life at St. Mary's School.
“We knew our participation was a little bit low this year, but the people that we have who are at the event … are enthusiastic and very eager,” event chair Kathryn Gilliss told theMercury.
Gilliss wanted to raise $35,000 through this year’s Relay, so she was pleased they surpassed the figure.
Roberta Yergens, a Relay for Life specialist with the Canadian Cancer Society's Saskatchewan office, said the 10th Relay in a community is an amazing accomplishment.
“I see some faces that have been here for 10 years, and, of course, some new ones,” she told the audience.
Fifty-one volunteers helped out before, during or after the event.
The Relay began with the opening ceremonies and the survivor celebrations. Carol McKay, a two-time cancer survivor, was one of this year's honorary event chairs. Delaine Kendall, who was this year’s other honorary chair, was unable to attend.
McKay discussed her battle with Hodgkin's Disease in 1981 and 1982, and her 2008 diagnosis with breast cancer. She triumphantly thrusted her left arm in the air each time she mentioned her victories over cancer. The audience applauded enthusiastically.
“I have learned that life is very precious,” she said, as her voice cracked with emotion. “I can give spirit to those who carry on. I truly believe that it is … (positive thinking) and the attitude that you bring to every day of life that keep you (moving) forward in everything that you do.
“Every morning you get up, you look in the mirror and you say 'It will be a great day,'” she added.
Thirty-eight cancer survivors walked the opening survivor lap. They were joined by their caregivers for the second lap. Spectators applauded as the survivors and caregivers made their way around the 216-metre walking surface.
The survivors and caregivers were then treated to a supper in the Leisure Centre's multi-purpose room.
Teams walked the track throughout the event. They were treated to entertainment by talented performers. One of the highlights came when local resident Larry Elash, who is a skin cancer survivor, had his long hair cut and his head shaved bald.
The hair will be donated to Wigs for Kids, which assists children with cancer.
Elash raised $2,500 through his efforts.
There was also an auction in which more than a dozen items were sold.
The “Fight Back” and luminary ceremonies were combined this year. Relay participants learned how they could continue the fight against cancer throughout the year. Then they paused to pay tribute to those who have died due to cancer, or are currently battling the disease.
The closing ceremonies were at 12:30 a.m. Participants found out how much money they had raised. Then they completed one last victory lap to end the event.
Organizers announced several days before the Relay that it would be shortened from the customary 12 hours to eight hours due to the low numbers. They were concerned that there would have been too few people on the track during the overnight hours.
This year marked the first time the Relay was at Affinity Place. Gilliss was pleased with the transition to Affinity, and their ability to capitalize on the extra space.
The stage and the team areas were on the arena's floor. The concourse boasted the walking track. Luminaries lined the standing room spots. Signs with various cancer facts were placed around the track.
“It's a big space, but it ties together really nicely,” said Gillis. “The sound really projects nicely in here.”
They also made good use of the centre ice scoreboard's video panels. Photos of the survivors were shown during the survivor celebration. Pictures of people whose names appeared on luminaries were shown during the luminary ceremony.
There were also photos from the first nine years of the Relay.
Gillis said the Relay for Life remains a unique event for the Canadian Cancer Society in Estevan and other communities.
“Not only is it an all-night walk for cancer awareness and fundraising, but it is also an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate so many people who have won their battle with cancer, and honour those who are less fortunate,” she said.
She paid tribute to the strength and resiliency of the survivors.
“If I am half as strong, and if I endure (only) half as much as the survivors and caregivers that I have seen throughout this journey, I will forever consider myself a lucky woman,” she said. Gilliss was the co-chair of the first Relay for Life in Estevan in 2006, when she was still a student at the Estevan Comprehensive School. She said she is “so happy” to see the people in Estevan have kept the event going.
More than $1.1 million has been raised for the Canadian Cancer Society during the Relay's 10-year history in Estevan.
