Members of Castlegar’s Relay For Life committee are reaching out to the community with an urgent need for participants and volunteers for the annual Relay For Life fundraiser benefiting the Canadian Cancer Society.
With participant numbers in the decline from a high of 295 in 2010 to 81 last year and with the “cost to raise a dollar” being of paramount importance in any fundraising event, the society needs to take a good look at the viability of some of the smaller events.
“This is a critical fundraising event for our community and to help fight cancer,” said Kelly McCreight.
“Money raised at Relay supports cancer patients in this community, giving them access to transportation and lodging assistance, financial and emotional support programs, as well as information services. We also fund Camp Goodtimes, where children that have experienced cancer can spend a fun, action packed week with peers. Money also helps to fund world class research to stop the disease in its tracks; and works to stop cancer before it starts through focused prevention, education and advocacy efforts,” said Jenn Smith.
Relay For Life is an inspirational, non-competitive, 12 hour fundraising event that brings a community together to celebrate life and fight cancer. Each year a dedicated team of volunteers has helped the Canadian Cancer Society staff put on a fantastic Relay in Castlegar. The overnight event is a true presentation that cancer never sleeps. The committee is dedicated to doing everything they can to ensure Castlegar can continue celebrating Relay and organizers need the community’s involvement to help make that happen.
The committee is reaching out and asking the community to register for Relay For Life 2015 early this year — 14 teams (minimum) and 100 participants (minimum) are needed by March 1 in order for the event to proceed. The event is slated for June 20, 2015 and will run from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. at Kinnaird Park.
Many people wonder why overnight. Cancer never sleeps so what better way to honour, remember, support and fight for all those on their cancer journey.
Castlegar’s overnight Relay is the last of its kind in the Kootenays, having stayed with the original Relay format. The night might seem long but you are never alone and there is always someone there to keep your spirits and moral up!
Early registration for Relay For Life has started for only $10 until March 1. Register now at www.relayforlife.ca.
For more information about the Castlegar Relay For Life, please contact Kelly McCreight at (250) 365-5715.