The ninth annual Relay for Life here was another success.
The number of teams was reduced this year to 17 from the 25 in 2011, but the participants raised an estimated $43,000.
Event chairman Jennifer Stewart May said the group’s goal for next year is to double that.
The Relay is a fundraiser for cancer research. Participants form teams and take turns walking around the track to make money to support cancer research. They spent all of Friday night into Saturday morning in their fight against cancer.
The opening ceremonies took place shortly after 7pm with greetings from Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj, and a Survivors’ Walk around the track by, this year, over 50 cancer survivors.
Ross-Zuj called the event “a journey of courage,” and added the participants “have touched so many people.”
She added, “The greatest thing is to see the determination on your faces.”
People attended the even from as far away as New Brunswick.
Relay for Life was filled with such things as auctions, a scavenger hunt, tug ’o’ war, and bands like Transit and Detour. The Fergus Pipe Band performed and led the survivors around the track.
Stewart-May noted the Wellington Advertiser had produced an advertisment of the event stating “If Cancer had a face I’d punch it” and the Canadian Cancer Society and Relay for Life team set up a punching bag for the evening that people could wail away on.
There were numerous local sponsors on hand, and Stewart-May planned to send thank-you letters to every single one of them.
Stewart May said she expects the event will continue to grow, despite the lower numbers this year.
“We did have many teams that were not able to join us this year but did call to say they will return next year, along with many volunteers and sponsors who are also wishing to submit teams for 2013.
“The one nice thing about Relay for Life is that each new experience brings in new teams and volunteers and sponsors the following year.
People see how great the experience is and just want to be a part of that. There has been already feedback from many sponsors and businesses wanting to jump in for next year.”
Correction
In the Inside Wellington cover story on the Relay for Life, it was incorrectly stated that long time cancer fighter Donna Gear and her team are cancer survivors.
Actually, her team is filled with people who have family and friends who have fought cancer. The Advertiser regrets the error.
