Thanks to the Mini-Relay for Life, the students from St. Mary’s School in Estevan are more aware about the fight against cancer, and how they can reduce their cancer risk.
And thanks to the students from St. Mary’s School, Estevan’s community Relay for Life will receive a significant boost of money.
St. Mary’s hosted the Mini-Relay on Friday afternoon. Students in Grades 5 to 8 circulated a makeshift track inside the school’s gymnasium and raised $10,009.56, thanks to fundraising, pledges and other donations.
This was the second time St. Mary’s has hosted the Mini-Relay, making them the first local school to host the event twice.
St. Mary’s Grade 8 students Devin Fichter and Sarah Leverton, who were the school’s event co-chairs, said the students and staff came together to raise funds and learn more about cancer.
“We learned about making changes in our lives, physical activity, sun safety, healthy eating and why we should never start smoking,” said Fichter.
“We learned that no matter the age or size, we are in charge of the choices we make,” added Leverton. “This week, the students of St. Mary’s are making big changes in our lives. We, as cancer warriors, are fighting back.”
Kathryn Gilliss, who is the chair of this year’s community Relay, applauded the students for their fundraising efforts and for their willingness to learn.
Gilliss was the co-chair for Estevan’s first community Relay in 2006, and she wishes the Mini-Relay for Life existed nine years ago.
“The value that you guys bring, at such a young age, to this event, is unmatchable,” said Gilliss. “It’s so wonderful to see you all so excited, and all the hard work that you put in this past week (has been great).”
The Mini-Relay is a big part of the community Relay, she said.
St. Mary’s School principal David Murphy noted cancer has touched his family on multiple occasions.
His grandfather passed away in 1934 from lung cancer, long before Murphy was born. Murphy’s father-in-law passed away due to cancer as well.
And Murphy’s older brother, Allan, was diagnosed with colon cancer about 3 1/2 years ago. Through surgery and treatments, Allan Murphy is now a survivor and cancer-free.
“When someone has passed from cancer, or someone is fighting the disease, many others are affected,” said Murphy.
When St. Mary’s hosted the Mini-Relay five years ago, Murphy said it had a profound impact on his life, and on the lives of the students and the staff members.
The Mini-Relay boasted many of the same attributes as the community Relay, but on a smaller scale. There were speeches during the opening ceremonies. Then the survivors were honoured.
Gabriel Rheaume, an 11-year-old cancer survivor from Regina, was the Mini-Relay's honorary event chair.
He’s also the ambassador for Regina’s Relay for Life.
Three years ago, Rheaume was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure. His right lung was removed, and he was given weeks to live.
But after several rounds of chemotherapy, the tumour was small enough to be surgically eliminated in early 2015. He also had five ribs removed.
“In total, I had thousands of needles, hundreds of stitches, dozens of tests, six surgeries and a year of chemotherapy,” said Rheaume.
Cancer survivors walked the opening lap, and then they were joined by their caregivers for the second lap. All of the Mini-Relay participants flooded the track to join survivors and caregivers for the third lap.
Students remained on the track for the duration of the Mini-Relay. They paused partway through for the luminary ceremony. Children from other grades also attended the ceremony.
Entertainment happened throughout the afternoon.
The money from the Mini-Relay and the Relay for Life will be directed to the Canadian Cancer Society.
