The night of Saturday, June 15, was an emotional 12 hours in Wawota as 335 participants took part in the Relay for Life at the Wawota Forum.
Much work was put into the evening by committee members and volunteers to create a successful event raising $141,084.29. Contributing to the total included sales of 913 luminaries, a silent auction, and donations raised by each of the 30 participating teams.
The night began at 6 p.m. as Opening Ceremonies brought the crowd together listening to the moving story of Dionne Warner of Regina.
Warner having previously beaten breast cancer, brain cancer, bone cancer, and lung cancer, she is currently fighting against her fourth diagnosis of liver cancer. Providing inspiration to others, Warner explained she would continue to fight and encouraged anyone struggling with the disease to incorporate laughter into their lives.
"Let laughter in for it is the best healing medicine around you," Warner stated.
Warner then joined the other survivors for the first lap. Escorted by an Honour Guard, there were participants and Relay supporters cheering on the 58 survivors which brought tears to the eyes of many in attendance.
Teams then commenced walking for the night. Dressed in matching clothes each of the 30 teams thoroughly enjoyed themselves throughout the night as they walked and took in the entertainment of the evening.
Master of Ceremonies, Owen Garratt, recent finalist on Canada's Greatest Know-it-all, returned to his home town to partake in the great community event. Throughout the evening he not only introduced acts, but entertained through performing drum solos and sharing his, never before seen, entry tape for Know-it-all with the crowd.
Local artists including Hints of Harmony and Southern Country performed, while youth taking dance lessons with Marley's Dance Effex performed throughout the evening.
Many teams were acknowledged through awards receiving bronze, silver, gold, platinum, sapphire, and diamond. Though all teams contributed to the evening it was Too Inspired To Be Tired who raised $15,400, with over $10,000 of this amount fundraised by Sierra Murray, the daughter of event organizers Kristen and Shawn Murray.
A proud mother, Kristen, was pleased to say that Sierra had taken initiative regarding the cause and raised this amount on her own.
Overall the night was a great success as community members and individuals worldwide donated towards fighting back against cancer.
Nadja Schlienger has been living in Wawota for the last year. Originally from Switzerland she was happy to say that much support came from her home country including a fellow walker, her cousin, to participate on team Tumornators.
The night, Schlienger said, is important and she was very happy to participate as she is a cancer survivor.
"It's a really good thing and something different," Schlienger stated. "It was a special night and I wasn't sure if I could walk the whole night, but we did it!"
"Did it" Wawota and surrounding community did as they created a successful evening directed towards raising funds for the Canadian Cancer Society to be used for research, prevention, education, and support regarding the disease.
