Residents of Weyburn and area will again have the opportunity to support the Canadian Cancer Society, and also those who have survived or are being treated for cancer, with the annual Relay For Life fundraiser taking place on Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2 at Crescent Point Place.
There is a dual purpose to an event like this, and it's important that residents recognize them, and step up to be a part of the community effort to raise funds and take part in the activities being organized for the Relay.
It is too bad the annual event isn't being held at River Park, but then the wetness of the grounds (a leftover of last year's torrential rainfall) would make it difficult and uncomfortable for those taking part.
That said, the main purpose for the Relay For Life is to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society, and these funds are used for a variety of purposes, including cancer research, prevention, education, and quality of life programs for cancer patients.
In this regard, anyone can help out by helping collect pledges, by making donations or by supporting a Relay fundraiser, such as a barbecue or raffle, and thereby ensure the flow of funds to the Cancer Society.
The other purpose the Relay serves is as a moral support, not only to those who are currently in the midst of the fight against the dreaded disease, but for those who've survived, and are thus able to be a support to others who are just being diagnosed, or who are undergoing treatment.
The other aspect of this support is also to provide a support to those families who have lost loved ones to cancer; the memory of those who have lost their battle is carried on, and oftentimes teams are entered in memory of past patients, not to mention the luminaries are bought in memory of those who have lost their battle. The funds raised from the luminaries, in turn, goes towards the ongoing efforts to research cures for cancer, and to support those who are battling cancer.
There is a fun aspect to the event as well, and it helps lighten the atmosphere for all those who participate in the Relay - but they never lose sight that the objective is to eradicate the blight of cancer from amongst us, and it is this serious objective that is the driving force behind the Relay For Life.
The bottom line for all of us is, get out in support of the teams, or else get some friends together as a team, and help raise funds to fight cancer.
