Team Diller; Dave, Tanya, Crystal, Gail. Front row, from left: Kiara, Sarah – photo submitted

Prince George, B.C.- There  are just  three days left before the annual Relay for Life gets underway at Masich Place Stadium in Prince George.

Team Diller is leading the way in fundraising, already  chalking up $22,800,  and  closing in on their goal of $24 thousand this year.

With Captain Crystal Styler leading the way,  Team Diller's core is the Styler family, with  Dave, Gail and Tanya on board.  But the team has  18 registered members and about  40 supporters behind it.

Like most , the Styler family has been touched by cancer.  Cousin Chelsey  lost  her battle with the disease in August of 2012.  She was just 34 and left behind four children under the age of 12.

Team "Diller"  is named in her honour says  Crystal “My dad, Dave, nicknamed Chelsey  ‘Diller’ when she was little, after Phyllis Diller, because her hair was blonde and would stick up."

Crystal  says she told Chelsey of their plans to start a Relay for Life team in her honour and she supported the idea.

Team Diller’s fundraising initiatives last year included bottle drives, a garage sale, door-to-door canvassing, e-mail and social media requests and cotton candy sales. This year, the Diller troops added a couple of pub nights and three different raffles, all officially sanctioned by BC Gaming.

“Team Diller is a wonderful example of relay spirit,” says Helen Owen, who oversees the relay for the local Canadian Cancer Society  “This team relays 365 – their fundraising continues year-round. Not only do they do a tremendous job of fundraising but they also incorporate awareness in everything they do.”

Team Diller recognizes that any amount of money raised – no matter how large or small ­– is significant.

This will be the 22nd year for the relay for Life in Prince George, opening with a victory lap at 10 am on Saturday.