Walking for a cause in Relay for Life

The Hive Honeys are gearing up for another Relay for Life in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.

The team, which is mostly made up of health-care professionals and patients from Prince County Hospital, has been an annual participant in the Summerside area Relay for Life since it was founded by Dawn Davis more than a decade ago.

Dr. Helga Reisch–MacNeill met Davis when she was receiving cancer treatment at the PCH. They became friends.

It was easy to be Davis’ friend, recalled Reisch–MacNeill.

“Dawn was quite inspirational.”

Davis was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and despite initial reports that treatment had been successful, the disease moved into her bones and brain over the next several years.

She died in 2009. Throughout her entire cancer ordeal, Davis was a staunch supporter of the Relay for Life and the driving force behind her team’s effort.

“During this entire time, every single year, she was our queen bee,” said Reisch–MacNeill.

“One year we raised basically $10,000 for the Relay for Life because she was very driven.”

Since Davis’ death, her team has continued on in her name and is currently gearing up for this year’s relay.

They are not the only ones. The P.E.I. branch of the Canadian Cancer Society is hosting a kickoff party on May 3 for this year’s Relay for Life.

The event will start at 7 p.m. at The Oval, Credit Union Place.

The actual relay is not until June 3, but that day is so hectic the society holds an early gathering to thank teams, sign up new ones, accept donations and generally build excitement for its biggest fundraiser of the year.

This year’s Summerside Relay for Life will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Park walking track.