An image from last year’s Relay for Life event – photo 250News

Prince George, B.C. – Over 1,100 people are registered to participate in this weekend’s 25^th annual Prince George Relay for Life cancer fundraiser.

“We’re right on par with last year,” says coordinator Aimee Cassie. “And our team count is actually up. We’re at 127 teams this year and last year we had 112.”

The Prince George event is the only 24-hour relay in Canada and also the most successful – Prince George has finished first in Canada three years in a row.

What does she attribute the success of the event to?

“I really think it’s the passion that’s in all the participants. They do it for loved ones, they do it for the different people touched by cancer.”

Cassie says they’ve raised “an astronomical amount” of money over the past 24 relays and insists it’s made a big difference (the tally will be made public this weekend).

“It has, look at the Kordyban Lodge. We’ve been able to have a facility where people can come and stay while they’re getting cancer treatment,” she says.

“And they’re in an environment that is conducive to their health – they’re around other cancer patients and their families. They get their meals covered with their stay and they’re right across from the cancer agency where they’re receiving treatment.”

The event is takes place at Masich Place Stadium starting Saturday. Opening ceremonies start at 10 a.m.