MOUNT FOREST – Wellington Heights Secondary School (WHSS) hosted its 20th Relay For Life event on June 7.
The event ran from 11am to 7pm.
The school set up a walking track for students, families and survivors to walk laps for the event, which aims to raise awareness and money to fight against cancer.
The goal of $36,444 was surpassed before the day even began, with the funds now sitting at $42,000.
“That is astronomical for our small community,” WHSS teacher Adam Norton told the Advertiser.
Throughout the day, events included a track colour walk, where participants walking the track got covered in colourful powder thrown by students.
The school also had a luminary ceremony in the gym, with lanterns lit in memory of those affected by cancer.
The last event was the survivors lap, which occurred at 6pm. The lap was for anyone who has or is currently battling cancer to take a lap around the track in recognition of their fight against cancer.
Emotions ran high as everyone on the track had a different story and situation.
“We have alumni, we have former teachers, retired teachers, family members, their children, this is what Relay is all about,” Norton added.
Over 300 people attended the event at various times throughout the day.
“Nobody likes cancer, there is no division out there, they are just together,” Norton stated.
“It’s nice to end the school year [with] this, so the kids have a positive memory of their community.”
The event occurs every other year with new and old faces returning.
Survivors
Survivors Agnes Strachan and grandson Ryan Holliday shared their journey with Advertiser.
Strachan had breast cancer 13 years ago, and has been in remission after radiation treatment.
“We drove through storms every morning and went to Grand River Hospital for radiation,” Strachan said.
Her strong personality and family got her through her hardest moments, Strachan added.
Her grandson humourously noted how stubborn she is, as they sat side by side sharing their stories.
Holliday was diagnosed with diffuse large b-cell lymphoma. His leg began feeling sore, but Holliday thought nothing of it, until his wife made him go to the hospital.
Holliday quickly found out he had a tumour growing on his leg.
After getting the needed treatment, he is cancer free alongside his grandmother.
“Just like that we’re with a lot of other people who have survived and who are still battling it,” Holliday added.
His grandmother used to teach at WHSS, but the event wasn’t around when she taught, she noted.
She shared her gratitude for surviving, and now living a “normal” life while enjoying her family.
“It really does affect everybody, at some point in your life,” Holliday said.
