Prince George, B.C. – The Canadian Cancer Society’s 24-hour Prince George Relay For Life is taking place this weekend with an invitation to the entire community to come out and enjoy a wide range of activities and entertainment that will spread the scope of the event beyond strictly a cancer fundraiser.

The relay runs from 10 a.m. today through to 10 a.m. Sunday at Masich Place Stadium and local Coordinator Aimee Cassie says “the big focus is really making sure that the community of Prince George knows that everyone is welcome at the track.  It’s not just people that are on teams, everyone can come down and enjoy what we’ve got planned this year.”

And what they have planned is plenty.  Cassie says “we’ve got a fly-by scheduled by the Royal Canadian Air Force.  As part of our opening ceremonies, as the survivors take to the track, the 407 Squadron out of Comox will do a fly-by.  It will be at 10:27 (this morning).  The aim is to salute our cancer survivors like never before.  The aircraft (a Lockheed CP-140 Aurora) will tip its wing to their incredibly courageous fight.”

The very poignant luminary ceremony, including a lap of remembrance, will again this year be taking place at 10 o’clock tonight a fireworks display will follow immediately afterwards.

Other highlights include a helicopter fly-over at 3 pm, a barbeque at 5 pm, a Mother’s Day breakfast from 7:30 am to 9 am Sunday, WestJet raffle draw at 9:30 am, a draw for a car at 10 am, and the closing ceremony, also at 10 am Sunday.

As well Stevens says “we’ve got lots of live entertainment, bands playing pretty much from the afternoon on into the early morning hours of Sunday morning.  We’ve really focussed on expanding our activities this year.  We’ve got three separate tents doing activities: youth activities, children’s activities and then overnight activities.  Minute to Win It games, tug-of-war, face painting, play dough.  We’ve got lots of stuff for lots of different people.”

Prince George hosts the only 24-hour Relay in Canada and for the past two years has been the number one relay in the country, last year raising $532,000.  Cassie says 117 teams and 1200 participants have registered this year, and the  fundraising goal for the 2016 Prince George Relay For Life is $530,000.

Money raised through the relays across Canada goes toward cancer research, advocacy and support programs for those living with cancer as well as their families and caregivers.

Further information about the Prince George Relay For Life can be found by visiting www.relayforlife.ca/princegeorge