Photo by MARCEL VANDER WIER
EMOTIONAL MOMENT 鈥� Cancer survivors make their way around the track at Shipyards Park Saturday, kicking off the 12-hour Relay for Life.
Photo by MARCEL VANDER WIER
DRESSED THE PART 鈥� Three year-old Thomas Vollmer sits on Dawn Lammer's shoulders during the opening ceremony.
Photo by MARCEL VANDER WIER
SUPERHEROES 鈥� Cole Byers, 10, and Keelan Robins, seven, hit the track in the battle to end cancer.
Photo by
RAIN OR SHINE 鈥� Relay organizer Alanna Bennett, left, and city councillor Betty Irwin address walkers before the event.
Photo by MARCEL VANDER WIER
WARMING UP 鈥� Relay walkers get ready for 12 hours of laps under the guidance of Lisa Ross.
Photo by MARCEL VANDER WIER
FREE RIDE 鈥� Four-year-old Jamie Trimble gets a free ride around the track at Shipyards Park, courtesy of Sarah McKinnon. Michele Trimble, right, looks on.
Rain no match for relay walkers; event raises $29,000
Rain is no match for those who have done combat with one the world's deadly diseases.
Rain is no match for those who have done combat with one the world's deadly diseases.
The community of Whitehorse proved that Saturday, as the local Relay for Life fund-raising event for the Canadian Cancer Society went ahead as scheduled at Shipyards Park.
This year's event marked the 10th anniversary of the relay in the Yukon capital.
Many walkers carried umbrellas and slogged through puddles from noon to midnight, and at the end of the event 鈥� a collected total of approximately $29,000 was tallied.
While that number is still unofficial, it is a far cry from last year's $79,000.
"It is lower, but it's still an awesome amount of money,鈥� said Whitehorse community giving coordinator Alanna Bennett.
"If you add up the two communities, then we raised close to $60,000 in the Yukon, and that's something to be proud of, considering how small our population is.鈥�
Monetary amounts from last week's relay in Dawson City have risen closer to $27,000, Bennett said.
Eighteen teams and 125 walkers took up the fight against cancer Saturday, slightly higher totals than Dawson's event.
Nine teams and 87 people participated in last Saturday's relay.
"It shows the persistence of the type of people who participate in a relay event,鈥� said Bennett. "Cancer never sleeps. Cancer's not an easy experience. You don't just get to come and go when you want to. So this is people showing their solidarity against a disease that rips apart people's lives. It's a tribute to the community.鈥�
Despite the chilly, wet weather, the day was full of positives, Bennett said.
Two unidentified men dropped off a $2,700 cheque from a breast cancer charity in Victoria, B.C., and the highest fund-raising team was one composed of kids.
The Superhero Cancer Fighters raised more than $5,800.
Two children read a Dr. Seuss poem during the luminary ceremony at 6 p.m., and Roslyn Woodcock spoke about her emotional experience taking care of her dying grandmother.
"I've never actually heard anybody speak so candidly about death,鈥� said Bennett. "It was a really touching tribute.鈥�
An opening ceremony was held under the tent at noon, prior to the survivors lap.
City councillor Betty Irwin roused the crowd on hand with a speech, acknowledging "we have a long way to go鈥� in the fight against cancer.
Meanwhile, cancer survivor Keith Halliday told his story of hope, thanking those on hand for helping to make a difference.
"There is progress, and there is hope,鈥� he said, adding that he is here today thanks to the community of friends and family who pulled together to help him through his battle.
Lisa Ross warmed walkers up with a high-tempo workout routine, and then the event was underway.
The Whitehorse event was part of a global movement dedicated to saving lives and supporting those currently battling the disease.
Bennett thanked all of the sponsors and volunteers who continue to support events like the relay.
"I would like to thank everyone who played a key role in making Relay for Life happen and for believing in the cause,鈥� she said.
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Comments (1)
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Mohamed on Jun 10, 2013 at 9:04 am
We are the dumping ground of the Mississippi River System which includes the Missouri and Ohio Rivers begins as tiny stream at Lake Itasca, Illinois. If you have been to the river lately, it is so high from the melting of the snow upriver. This does not wash out toxins no, they settle in the river bottom and pollute the ground water as well. This is the guarantee for future generations to continue to suffer from cancer and other ailments. The big businesses along the Mississippi will continued to dump toxic pollutants with payoffs and bribes for officials to ignore the fact that they are the cause of our loved one's deaths from this horrible disease. One way we can raise awareness of this situation and continue to communicate with our congressmen so that they may continue to address Congress on our needs for simple survival. Come and walk with us and show your support for our losses.