A Relay Rally, Tuesday, May 20, will offer a chance to get involved in the 2008 Relay For Life.
The second edition of the Relay is set for July 18 and 19 at Beaver Valley Community School.
Next Tuesday's Rally, at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, at 7 p.m., will feature highlights of last year's Relay For Life and a video presentation about how funds raised from the event are used by the Canadian Cancer Society. It's open to anyone who will be taking part and anyone interested in supporting the Relay.
Relay For Life is a 12-hour, overnight event that brings together teams of families, friends, co-workers, volunteers and anyone interested in raising funds to help cancer patients and to fund research.
The motto is Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.
Last year's Relay, the first in The Blue Mountains, raised about $40,000. The goal for this year is about $45,000.
The event is simple in concept. Participants circle the track -- walking, running or in wheelchairs -- for 12 hours, from 7 p.m., Friday, until 7 a.m. Saturday. Teams of up to 10 people raise pledges and take turns on the track while their teammates rest, socialize, play cards or board games or get meals or refreshments.
The funds come from a couple of sources. The pledges are a major source, with each particpant asked to raise at least $100. If you can't walk, you can support someone with a pledge. Pledges can by made by clicking the link provided, or calling 519-432-1137
There are also luminaries. These are flame-proof paper sacks with candles inside. As the sky darkens, the luminaries are lit to provide illumination around the edges of the track. Each luminary bears the name of someone -- usually a cancer patient or survivor or someone who lost their life to cancer -- the donor wants to remember or celebrate.
Luminaries are only $5 each and are an easy way for anyone to support the effort.
Those who can't participate can join in by taking a lap or several around the track in support of the participants.
For Pat Eastley and Lynda Valcourt, two of the leading organizers of the Relay, the event is a labour of love.
Eastley recovered from breast cancer four years ago, and was so inspired by the family and friends who rallied around her that she decided to dedicate her energy to the fight against cancer.
"I just love doing it. If I can help one person through their journey with being diagnosed, going through chemotherapy, whatever, that's the pay back," she said.
Eastley is also a big supporter of the Cops For Cancer events, in which people give up their hair, beards, and moustaches. The pledges they raise go to the Cancer Society. This year's Cops For Cancer Shave-off is set for May 31.
Recently, she found another lump. Although it wasn't cancerous, she plans to have surgery to remove it either in June or August.
"I'll be there for Relay for Life so the surgery will be scheduled around that," Eastley said.
Eastley had another worry to deal with, recently, when she learned of misdiagnoses by a pathologist at Grey-Bruce Regional Health Centre.
"I was thinking 'what if one of them was me?' " Eastley said. "I was sick. I wouldn't want to be one of those people."
It turned out the doctor involved didn't perform the pathological diagnosis on her case.
Valcourt, who got involved as a tribute to her sister, said plans are moving along smoothly for this second Relay. She added she has a couple of surprise announcements to make at the Rally about some special guests who plan to attend the Relay.
She's excited about the number of teams, including many returnees from last year and several new teams. More teams can be accommodated. Visit the website or call Valcourt at 519-599-6804 for more information.
"We're really looking forward to all the energy we'll create, all the funds we'll raise and all the good feelings we'll spread to help those who are dealing with this disease to know they're not alone," Valcourt said.
