Participants raise their candles during Saturday night’s Luminary Ceremony. Photo 250News

Prince George, B.C. – The Luminary Ceremony is, perhaps, the most poignant and emotional period during the Relay For Life.  Under the glow of the light of a candle it honours those who have ended their battle with cancer, those who are still battling and those who have survived.

A large crowd of people gathered at Masich Place Stadium Saturday night to take part in the ceremony.  However its start was delayed for perhaps 20 minutes after a person at the southern end of the stadium had a sudden health emergency.  Ambulance and Prince George Fire Rescue personnel attended and the last, unofficial word was that the person was ok.

Under a clear May night sky, caregiver Aimee Cassie invited those on hand “to close your eyes and picture this: bright red lips, thick voluminous hair, captivating blue eyes and a very flashy wardrobe.  Now couple this with the most infectious laugh, generous heart and spirit of a warrior.  That is my mom, Teresa.”

She spoke of colon cancer running in her mother’s family and took her grandfather when he was 60 years old.  She said despite knowing her mother was at risk, those around her thought it wouldn’t happen to her.  “It goes without saying when the diagnosis came through, after many, many warning signs, we as a family were devastated, mom beside herself with fear.”

Aimee explained how the cancer had spread from her colon to both sides of her liver, “and within weeks she was in surgery to remove the colon.  After a whirlwind two months of tests, doctors appointments, cancer meetings and general research, we found ourselves receiving chemo for the first time.”  She related the fear that came with these new developments.

“As a family we rallied around mom, searching for new ways to best support her in this new journey while grappling with our own uncertainties and emotions.  Ever during those early days she displayed such grace, quietly dealing with gut-wrenching feelings that are still impossible for me to articulate to you tonight.”

“The first Relay For Life we participated in following mom’s diagnosis was in 2013.  She was reluctant to participate at first…….however 20 minutes into the event she was a full-fledged participant, coach, mascot and advocate.”  She explained the strength her mother got from knowing she wasn’t alone in her fight.

Aimee says her mom developed a new perspective on her cancer fight and on life.  “Her attitude became “Yes I can”.  They told her she couldn’t, she could.  They told her she wouldn’t, she would, to fight all obstacles in her way.”  “As for her family, we followed her lead, often leaning on her when we needed a shoulder to cry on or an honest dose of reality.”

With emotion in her voice, Aimee said “for those who don’t know, there is a bell at the Cancer Clinic that patients ring signaling the end of their treatment.  This bell became a very significant signal for my mom because she had been told she would be on treatment forever and not have the opportunity to ring it.”

“Staying true to form she created her own interpretation of what ringing that bell meant.  This fight was her fight, her journey, her triumph, her terms.  On October 6^th, 2013, a year-and-a-half after being told mom wouldn’t live three months she, in her own words, rang her bell with pride at the age of 56.  Mom went on to her next journey.”

“Some would say that she lost her battle with cancer.  That is not how I see it.  She found an inner strength that was remarkable to watch, walking through her biggest fear in life while teaching all who knew her what a gift this day is, and to live without regret of yesterday nor fear of tomorrow.”

“I come back to Relay For Life each year to celebrate my mom, and the many, many victories here tonight.  Remember her and those before her and fight alongside those walking this journey to fuel them just as they have fuelled us.”

Aimee says two years ago the Luminary Ceremony terrified her because it represented living without her mom, her best friend.  “To honor her I decided to do what I had done so many times in the past, and followed the example she had set for me:  Live without regret and never give up.”

“Now I would like to bring you back to the beginning.  Take a moment, close your eyes and picture your loved one, and remember all of the things that make them special to you.  It is my sincere hope that those memories bring a smile to your face, just as remembering Mom does for me.  One day, we can turn hope into a cure.”