With peace signs in abundance, a group of high school students took their inspiration from the ‘60s at last weekend’s Relay For Life fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society.
The Groovin’ for a Cure team was made up of a group of Grade 10 students from Kalamalka secondary school, who won this year’s Relay For Life High School Challenge Cup.
“This enthusiastic and energetic groups of girls donned T-shirts covered in 1960s inspired peace signs, meeting the Super Hero theme of the event in a unique and thoughtful way,” said Nadine McGregor, Relay For Life team development chair. “The girls took a page out of the Canadian Cancer Society’s handbook by undertaking their own door-to-door campaign in the Coldstream area, raising more than $4,700.
“The team is hoping to return to next year’s event, and will be honing their skills to challenge other teams in some volleyball, scavenger hunts and the exciting new games.”
The first Relay For Life event in Canada raised $85,000 in 1999. Since then, the number of Relay events and participants have increased to reach its 11-year milestone in Canada — raising more than $54 million at 485 events across Canada.
Canadians from coast to coast come together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones and fight back against the disease, while raising vital funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.
This inspiring, community-based event is an overnight non-competitive relay involving teams of 10 to 15 people who take turns walking, running or wheeling around a track. Teams demonstrate how a community can come together to support its members, which include families, friends and corporations.
Each team camps out on the grounds of the track, enjoying entertainment, and sharing in a camaraderie that provides inspiration, strength, courage and hope to all those touched by cancer.
In Vernon, the event takes place at Polson Park. This year, runner-up for the High School Challenge Cup was the Superman power of the Vernon secondary school leadership team which collected donations of a little more than $4,000.
“This large and spirited team put in a strong showing again this year, thanks to leadership teachers Nathan Bartel and Denis Gendron,” said McGregor.
Next in line was the Charles Bloom secondary Grads of 2012 team, led by Top Youth Fundraiser Carly Chaput who raised $500.
“Fulton secondary fielded a Maroon presence on the site, and also supplied the event with creative and helpful volunteers: Katie Prosak, Josiah Cherrell, Athena Nguyen, Eileen McIntosh and Teegan Wood, whose help was very much appreciated,” said McGregor. “The event organizers would like to thank all students, teachers, parents and donors who supported these teams and we hope to see all the schools return with more ‘fight back’ teams in 2013.
