A report released by the Canadian Cancer Society on May 9 contained encouraging news: death rates are falling.
The main reasons are better screening, treatment, and fewer people smoking.
It is enterprising efforts such as the Relay for Life that provide the funds for research that leads to improved screening and treatment.
Langley’s eighth annual Relay for Life begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 25 at McLeod Athletic Park, and organizers say there is still time for teams and individuals to become involved.
To register, visit www.relaybc.ca/langley2012 or call 604 533-0822.
“Relay For Life is about a community coming together to save more lives,” said Shannon Todd Booth, the Relay’s community giving co-ordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Fraser Valley region.
“Cancer doesn’t sleep and so for one night, neither do we (so) join us this year, for the Relay For Life.”
Teams of all ages come together for this family-friendly, non-competitive event in which participants celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones, and fight back against all cancers while taking turns walking laps around the track for 12 unforgettable hours of overnight fun, friendship and fundraising.
This is the signature event of the CCS, and the largest cancer fundraising event in Canada. Last year, more than 1,900 participants and 253 teams took part in Relay events in the Fraser Valley.
Todd Booth said that support and participation helps the CCS to fund research on all types of cancer, provide information about cancer care and treatment (www.cancer.ca), offer support to people living with cancer, prevent cancer through education, healthy lifestyles and risk reduction strategies, and advocate for public policies to reduce the burden of cancer.
Since 2004, the community has raised more than $2,250,000 to help fight back against cancer and save more lives. With about 80 teams registered for the May 25 relay, Langley is set to boost that total significantly.
The relay begins at 7 p.m. with the opening ceremonies followed by a lap around the track by survivors.
The entertainment includes the Other Side of Five (OS5), Merge, the Cancer Sucks All Star Band, and zumba dancing with Anne Jones.
The closing ceremony is at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday.
For more information or to register, visit us at www.relaybc.ca/langley2012.
