The Relay for Life took place in Weyburn on June 1 and 2, to raise money for cancer research and prevention awareness. This year's event had the greatest number of teams compared to other years in Weyburn's Relay history, with a total of 19 teams of 174 participants. There were also 142 volunteers and 13 committee members.
This year's survivor's lap, which is the first lap of the Relay, had 52 cancer survivors present. At first, as each of the survivors' names were read aloud and they began the walk, the air was thick with the gravity of cancer and its ugliness. Yet, as the survivors and their loved ones kept circling the track and the music began, the air became light with hope.
From 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Weyburn's Relay teams walked the track at Crescent Point Place instead of at the usual Relay site, River Park. Damages done during last year's spring flood have not been fully recuperated at River Park, so this was the second year in a row that the event has taken place indoors.
The total amount raised this year in Weyburn for the Relay For Life is currently sitting at about $45,000. According to Caroline Gillies, event chair, the total always climbs up a bit after the actual event.
"We had a lot more people at the closing ceremonies than we've had in the past," said Gillies, adding that normally at 6:00 a.m. it's not common to have such a great turnout. "We were really happy with the number of teams, the number of youth teams was really up this year, as well as the number of people who stayed right to the end. That was really exciting."
Many of the teams usually had more than one member walking the track together, even though only one member is required to walk at a time.
Gillies said the event committee members were exceptional in planning and creating ways to keep the evening's activities fun for everyone, such as a digital scavenger hunt and a limbo competition.
"Hat's off to the committee," said Gillies, noting that the committee is still getting together for meetings. 'They're still not done!"
This year's Relay for Life committee was: Caroline Gillies, who served as Leadership Chair, Logistics Chair, Luminary Co-chair and Media Chair; Tammy Sprecken, who was the Team Recruitment Chair and Fight Back Activities committee; Kathy Carson, who handled Food Services and Sponsorship Chair; Karen Satre, Survivor Chair and Advertising Chair; Sharon Werstuik, Survivor Sub-Committee; Audrey Michel, Survivor Sub-Committee; Sandy Bell, Survivor Sub-Committee; Bonnie Kaip, Survivor Sub-Committee; Willa-Mae Donald, Survivor Sub-Committee; Kathy Woycik, Mini-Relay Chair, Volunteer Recruitment Chair and Fight Back Ceremony Chair; Kristen Hillstead, Entertainment Chair and Fight Back Activities member; Naomi Vande Cappelle, Luminary Chair and Vicky Betker, Committee Member
"It came through from feedback from teams that they really liked it," Gillies said of all the extra activities available to the teams at the 2012 event.
The fishing pond and other Kids Corner activities were donated by GEM events in Regina and local members of Beta Sigma Phi served at the Kids Corner.
"Face painting was a huge hit this year," said Gillies.
The colours of Relay were especially emphasized and, even though they are the usual protocol, Gillies wanted to celebrate each group at this year's event. Yellow shirts are worn by cancer survivors, blue shirts are worn by volunteers, orange shirts are worn by committee members and white shirts are worn by team members.
"The colours of Relay have always been there, but maybe people didn't know about them," said Gillies.
The funds raised may not be as high as other years, but the campaign is about more than just fundraising.
"Every year, it still takes my breath away what a community can do when they all work together," she said. "Even if the numbers are down, the awareness is up there."
