June 23, 2015
1868
The 10th annual Kincardine Relay for Life has raised about $33,000.
Organizer Geoff Van Geem of the Bluewater unit of the Canadian Cancer Society, said there were 124 participants, including 14 teams, 58 individual walkers, and 47 cancer survivors.
The event had a different format this year, beginning at Noon and running to Midnight, rather than overnight as in past years. Plus, the cancer survivors' victory lap was held at 7 p.m. instead of at the beginning of the relay.
"We had a lot of individual participants this year," said Van Geem, "and we want to encourage that rather than having to form teams which has discouraged people from participating in the past."
He said the amount raised is down significantly from the $65,000 brought in last year, but more donations are being collected.
The event began at Noon, with Nick Sawicki of CKNX Radio welcoming everyone, and the Kincardine Community Concert Band leading in the singing of "O Canada."
Duncan Hawthorne, president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power, title sponsor of the relay, said holding the event during the day, from Noon to Midnight, is a better format but it will take a bit of getting used to.
"I've taken part in this event and by 3 a.m. on Saturday, it was getting pretty cold out here," he said. "You're all walking for a purpose. It's good to take the time to do this. Bruce Power is proud to sponsor the Relay for Life here in Kincardine."
Vanje Watson of Fit Body Boot Camp did a warm-up with the participants and then they were off.
Besides walking the track, the event featured local entertainment, theme laps, a kids' zone, and at 7 p.m., the cancer survivors walked their victory lap behind the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band.
Each of the survivors was carrying a tag, listing his/her name and the number of years as a cancer survivor. At the end of the victory lap, the participants were to introduce themselves to the survivors and ask for their tags, and then walk a lap in their honour. After walking the lap, they were to attach the tags to the soccer net with yellow and blue ribbons.
While it was hot and sunny throughout the afternoon, the weather turned chilly by the evening. However, the rain held off as the luminaries were lit at 10 p.m. to honour those battling cancer, and to remember those who have died of the disease.
"A disease as complex as cancer, with more than 200 types currently identified, makes survival a huge challenge," said Carly Furniss, staff partner. "And while we celebrate the survivors among us, we accept the hard truth that cancer takes lives, and breaks hearts, every day. While we relay to show our strength and our commitment to a cure, we also recognize the crushing loss that cancer can deliver."
Money raised at the Relay for Life is used to fund Canada's most promising cancer research and clinical trials; to help ease the financial burden that families face in their fight against cancer; and to move close to the day when no Canadian needs to fear cancer.
The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band leads the cancer survivors in a victory lap at the Kincardine Relay for Life, Saturday evening at the Davidson Centre track
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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