Cancer Survivors’ victory lap at 2014 Relay             250News archive

Prince George, BC – At this time one month from now, participants in the annual Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life will be cheering on cancer survivors as they take their victory lap around the track at Masich Place Stadium…

The emotion-filled march officially begins the 24-hour fundraiser set for the weekend of May 9th and 10th.  Last year, the Prince George event topped the country, raising $600-thousand dollars.

“(That’s) no pressure at all,” says the Society’s Team Lead for Community Giving, with a tongue-in-cheek laugh.

But Helen Owen says her job is made easier by a tremendous outpouring of community support.

“People are busy fundraising.  There’s all kinds of fundraising activities going on almost everyday and, certainly, every weekend now, which is great.”  She points out the relay is the Society’s signature fundraising event and each participant is being encouraged to try and raise a minimum of $150 dollars this year.  The local goal is to hit $550-thousand dollars.

With four weeks to go, there are 1002 participants and 123 teams registered.  And Owen says it’s not just city residents – people come from all over the province and even out-of-province to support their loved ones.

“It’s the Relay ‘magic’, I think that draws people,” she says.

New features this year include round-the-clock entertainment and activities, a Mother’s Day breakfast at 7:30am on Sunday, May 10th, and, for the first time, the luminary ceremony – lighting candles to remember those who lost their battles with cancer – will be moved to 10pm from midnight, in the hopes of being more inclusive.

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You can sign up online for the Relay for Life by going to www.relayforlife.ca/princegeorge The registration deadline is Friday, April 24th.