Keeping the fight going

Times Reporter

 

Months of planning and hard work came down to one extraordinary night this past weekend. The efforts of the volunteers and committee members paid off when people gathered at the Ag. grounds for Strathmore’s annual Relay for Life on June 15. 

The event, which ran from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., had 148 participants, 43 volunteers, nine committee members, 17 teams and approximately 50 survivors plus their caregivers.

“I was really impressed, I was very happy with the number of people that we had,” said committee member Kristel Lang. 

“For the amount of people, the amount of teams, and the amount we raised it was a very good total.”

This year’s Relay managed to bring in approximately $45,000 to $50,000. There was $35,000 raised online, and the cash is still being sorted out to give the exact total. The money raised will go to the Canadian Cancer Society and will be used to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients, while supporting research to try and find a cure for all types of cancer. 

All night long everyone was kept entertained by the different events, the music and MC Matt Rederburg. 

“We did laps around the track, such as the chicken dance, the Macarena, potato golfing which all earned people monopoly money. Then at 6:30 a.m. they were allowed to use their monopoly money and participate in a live auction where they were able to earn prizes. That went over very, very well,” said Lang.

“We really appreciate how many people stayed up and walked all night. I think part of it was because people kept saying, well when’s the auction and I kept saying in a little bit. I said in a little bit from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.,” said Lang laughing. 

“We were just going to fit it in where it fit, but we had so much going on with entertainment that finally at 6 I was like we have to do this, right now. It worked quite well in that aspect.”

Anyone wanting to join the committee or anyone who has feedback on things they loved, or maybe didn’t like so much are encouraged to email strathmorerelayforlife@hotmail.com.