Prince George, B.C.- In just a few days, Masich Place Stadium  in Prince George will be transformed into a campground of sorts as tents pop up to offer shelter and respite for those taking part in the annual Relay for Life.

 

This is the 21^st annual Relay for Life in Prince George, and it is the only Relay for Life in the entire country which goes for a full 24 hours.

 

While most participants take part for an hour or two throughout the 24 hours, there are some who have registered to walk the track at Masich Place Stadium from the start at 10 a.m. on Saturday straight through until the end at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

 

So far, 23 people have signed up to be a “24 Hour Relayer” that’s nearly double the usual number who sign up to be on the track for the full event.

 

Among  those who have committed to being on the track for the full event are 19 year olds Kaela Ovington and Nick Taylor.   For these teens, the walk is personal. Ovington was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 15 and beat the disease. Taylor, meanwhile, lost his mom, Allyson, to leukemia in December of 2012.

 

 “It’s completely unbelievable – I don’t know how else to put it,” said Trevor Patenaude, leadership chair of the Prince George Relay For Life committee. “The dedication from citizens in this community is outstanding. The mentality of almost all of them that I talk to is that it’s a lot of pain and a lot of work for 24 hours but it’s nothing compared to the journey that cancer survivors are on. It’s inspiring.”

 

The Relay For Life is the Canadian Cancer Society’s largest fundraiser. Each year, the money generated at the various relays across the country is put toward research and prevention and is also used to support people who are living with cancer.

 

The Relay For Life will start with a victory lap by cancer survivors, will feature a luminary ceremony at midnight to remember those who have lost their lives to cancer and will end with a fight-back rally.

 

Last year’s relay raised more than $490,000, the second-highest total in the country behind only Coquitlam. The goal this year is to move up to No. 1.