Digby Relay for Life raises $58,800 for cancer research
A sea of yellow T-shirts paraded the Digby Relay for Life track on June 16 as participants and the public cheered on the cancer survivors.
It was an evening full of laughs and tears, where friends and families gathered to support the ultimate fight: beating cancer.
This year’s ambassador, Darlene D’Eon, spoke about being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2011. She thanked her supporters for standing by her side and supporting her throughout the years.
“It’s an emotional night, I know,” she said.
Every year at the Relay for Life she finds herself thinking the same thing.
“I can’t believe I’m walking this survivor lap and I’ve got on this yellow shirt. I never thought I’d be a survivor, I always thought I’d be a supporter.”
The fundraising goal this year was $40,000. Digby Relay for Life teams surpassed the goal and raised $58,800 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Hundreds of supporters participated in the event, walking the Digby Area Recreation Centre track throughout the evening. There was games and activities all evening, including themed costume laps.
The track was lined with luminary displays in support of those fighting cancer and in memory of those who have lost their lives to the disease.
When the luminaries were lit with candles, participants bowed their heads for a moment of silence and proceeded to walk the track in the dark – their paths lit by the luminaries – to honour everyone who has had to face cancer in their lifetime. Luminary displays lined the track in memory of those who lost their lives to cancer and in support of those fighting the disease.