Middleton Relay For Life raises $32,000
There were 14 teams, 108 participants, and a lot of determination at Middleton’s 15th Relay For Life Saturday evening – and they raised more than $32,000.
The Middleton Arena was decorated with balloons for the June 10 event that annually raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society. In its 15 years, Middleton and area Relay For Life teams have raised more than $1.5 million.
The top fundraising team Saturday evening was Coey’s Warriors with $5,600 for the Canadian Cancer Society. The Melvern Spuds were close behind with $4,600.
Jennifer Tufts, district coordinator, Annapolis Valley for the Canadian Cancer Society, attended the Middleton Relay For Life and explained how the money is used.
“The funds raised through Relay For Life help the Canadian Cancer Society do four important things: lead cancer research across Canada, influence public policy to improve the health of Canadians, focus our support programs to meet the greatest needs of patients and caregivers, and engage more Canadians in the fight against cancers,” she said.
In particular, funds raised through Relay For Life events in Nova Scotia enable children and youth who are living with or beyond cancer to attend the Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtime, and enable cancer patients to stay at the Lodge that Gives, a home away from home for patients undergoing cancer treatment free of charge.
Tufts said that since June 2015, 195 guests to the Lodge were from the Annapolis Valley and on average annually, four to five children and youth from the Annapolis Valley attend Camp Goodtime.
Tufts described Relay For Life as a community fundraising event where Canadians across the country join together in the fight against cancer. Relay participants walk or run together around a track or path at a local school, park or fairground, passing a baton to their fellow participants and working together toward one common goal - the fight against cancer.
At each Relay For Life event, luminaries are lit during a moving ceremony, Tufts said. Luminaries are candles that have been placed in special bags - they look like beautiful lanterns when they’re lit.
“Each luminary is dedicated by someone like you and carries the name of a cancer survivor or a loved one lost to cancer, along with a message of inspiration,” Tufts said.
In Middleton, the luminaries circled the arena track where the teams walked throughout the evening. A Survivors Lap took place early in the evening, lead by Middleton firefighters. And there were 49 survivors in the crowd wearing special yellow T-shirts.
“A big thank you goes out to all the organizing committee and volunteers that help make this event a success,” said Tufts, “and a big thank you goes out to the teams, participants, and survivors for attending and raising funds, and for supporting the Canadian Cancer Society.”