One registered participant will win a new car at the 2017 Relay For Life in Prince George. Photo – 250News

Prince George, B.C. – Today marked the official kick-off to the 2017 Prince George Relay For Life, scheduled May 13th to 14th at Masich Place Stadium.

The 2017 version of the cancer-fighting fundraiser marks a milestone in Prince George, celebrating 25 years of hosting the event which started out as Romp ‘N Stomp.  Since its inception the relay here has been held in high regard across the country, primarily because it is the only 24-hour relay held in Canada.

The relay, presented by Allnorth, has the backing of many sponsors and volunteers in the community and, as it has done for the past three years, aims to be the number one fundraising relay in the entire country.

And this year Northland Auto Group has come on board to offer registered participants in the relay the opportunity to win one of three brand new vehicles: their choice of a white 2016 Dodge Dart SE, a 2017 Hyundai Elantra L or a 2017 Nissan Micra SV.

For every $500 raised by the participant, their name is entered in the draw for one of the vehicles, with the winner to make their selection on May 14th during the closing ceremony at the end of the relay.  The registration deadline for this year’s Relay For Life is April 28th.  To qualify for the vehicle draw, funds must be turned in (online or in person) by 4:30 pm on Tuesday, May 9th.  Online registration is now open at www.relayforlife.ca/princegeorge.

This year’s honorary chairman of the 25th anniversary Relay For Life, Doug Jones, says “the honour part was huge.  I was quite surprised when Aimee (Coordinator Aimee Cassie) asked me and I thought, well, you know what, get an old guy to do it.  A guy who’s been around for a long time, a guy who’s had personal experience with the issue, my son had brain cancer twice.”

And so basically the research that’s done with the money raised at events like these saved his life so ya, I’m deeply, emotionally involved in it and when you think you can at least give back a little bit you take that opportunity.”

As the public face of the 2017 relay Jones says he’ll be attending various engagements around town promoting the positive achievements of the Relay For Life as well as this milestone event.