Cheered by supporters on the sidelines, cancer survivors take their Victory Lap to kick off the 2014 Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life

Prince George, BC –  Hope.

Cancer survivor, Elaine Cormish, was introduced as a 'Hero of Hope' during the opening ceremonies of the 22nd Annual Relay for Life at Masich Place Stadium this morning.

And she told other survivors gathered for their Victory Lap to officially launch the event, "I know that the biggest thing that we can give anyone who is currently battling cancer is simply by 'being' – we are still here.  That is hope for them."

Cormish said the relay is about celebrating survival, drawing near to support others, remembering those who's lives were shortened by cancer, and it's also about raising funds for cancer research.  "We're going to walk to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society, so they can save lives," she said to the cheers of those gathered on the track.  "With our help, cancer will be beaten."

Relay Volunteer Committee Co-Chair, Davy Greenlees, provided the crowd with some 'starting gate' numbers – the amount raised, as of the opening ceremony, was $421-thousand dollars, with 140 teams and 1455 participants registered for the event.

"That's because of you guys, thank you very much.  And that's just going to go up and up all 24-hours."

 "Last year, we were the number one relay in the BC and Yukon division," said Greenlees.  "This year, I'm going to jump out there – we're going to be the number one in Canada – thanks to you."

Participating in the relay for the first time as a survivor this year, is Margaret Griffiths (shown in yellow, surrounded by her daughter Sarah Nunn (l), granddaughters Cora (in front), and Sadie (l), and friend, Bella Ireland)

Griffiths said one of the main reasons she wanted to get involved was because the funds raised at the relay help people right here in Prince George.  She, herself, received financial assistance during her battle with breast cancer for medications and travel and she wants to give back.

"I'm also out here just to support others.  My family has been super-great, so supportive," said the member of Team Uniboob, before taking to the track with her loved ones for the Victory Lap.

Like Griffiths, many of those participating in the relay plan to stay for the entire 24-hours.  A special midnight ceremony will see luminaries light up Masich Place in memory of those who lost their lives to the disease.