Stettler residents who want to raise money and awareness of forms of cancer went to the Canalta Hotel for a Relay For Life information night and fundraiser barbecue on Tuesday, June 10.
Organizers for the relay were on hand to explain to interested parties what the relay is and how it works. But that wasn’t all: For a donation, anyone could get a hot dog or hamburger (the hamburgers were cooked by Canalta general manager Brandi Page), a drink, and dessert.
Relay For Life will take place at the William E. Hay track on Sept. 12. The purpose of the event is to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Teams of ten sign up and spend the night walking around the track.
“It’s a really good way to give back,” said organizer Crystal Schierman. “I myself am a cancer survivor, and there are a lot of programs that the Canadian Cancer Society offers to support people who are going through cancer, as well as research for different treatments.”
Last year, Relay For Life netted the Canadian Cancer Society $46.5 million.
The money goes toward cancer research, prevention through promoting a healthy lifestyle, providing support services for those suffering from cancer, and providing information to Canadians about cancer.
It starts at 6:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies and cancer survivors do a lap with their caregivers to celebrate beating cancer. After that, participants walk around the track all night. Teams must have one person on the track at all times. Participants will light luminaries around the track as a memorial for those who succumbed to cancer, as well as to give well wishes to people still fighting cancer. Later, there will be a fight back ceremony, and the relay for life finishes with a breakfast in the morning.
“And then everyone goes home, tired and sore, but it’s worth it,” Schierman said.