MOUNT FOREST – Students are hitting the track at Wellington Heights Secondary School on June 3 for the return of the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life. It’ll be the first Relay For Life event held at the school in three years.
Grade 12 student Grey Hugli-Armstrong is the student chair of this year’s event committee, and is working with 11 other students and teacher Adam Norton to try and raise $21,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
As of May 30, Wellington Heights teams had raised $18,764 of that goal, with Hugli-Armstrong the lead participant, having raised at least $2,786.
“It’s an extremely fun day, it’s pretty much a day of games and entertainment,” Hugli-Armstrong said.
But there are also moments of mixed emotions for those who have been affected by cancer’s merciless and indiscriminate reach.
“Everyone there has someone in their life who has been affected by cancer at some point,” Hugli-Armstrong said of the students forming the relay committee. “You’re going to have good moments, and you’re going to have bad moments,” he said of the day.
Hugli-Armstrong’s father died from cancer in March 2021 at the age of 45.
That experience set the 17-year-old on a pursuit to help others affected by the disease.
All of the money raised goes toward the Canadian Cancer Society’s research and patient care services, such as transportation to and from radiation appointments.
This year’s goal is set lower following the pandemic, Hugli-Armstrong said, but the money won’t necessarily be the focus for the kids on Friday.
“For us, it’s about connecting people who have had family members affected by cancer or people who have been affected by cancer themselves, giving them the opportunity to see the support that they have from others,” he said.
The event is for students only, with an exception for cancer survivors who can walk the survivor’s lap at day’s end.
Cancer survivors and their families are welcome to participate and can reach out to Adam Norton at adam.norton@ugdsb.on.ca if interested in joining.
Fundraising is largely being done online at: https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLY_NW_odd_?pg=entry&fr_id=28338.
Cash donations can also be made in person at the school, or in Mount Forest at the The Old Hound Ice Cream Shop, at Pike Lake Golf Course, Scott’s Pizza Burger, or at The Plumber’s Wife or Arthur Cash and Carry in Arthur.
