Relay raised thousands for cancer research through wind, sun and rain
By Mona Mattei
Seventeen teams raised $20,056 for the Canadian Cancer Society at the Grand Forks Relay for Life held last Saturday.
The annual event was successful in not only raising money to help continue the fight against cancer, but in building awareness about the difficult illness that touches the lives of so many people.
“This is pay back for an organization that helped me out a lot when I was sick,” said survivor Beverly Osachoff. “I had great encouragement when I was a cancer patient. Now that I am a cancer survivor, I hope that I can do something to help inspire people – you can do it! I’m living proof you can get through it!”
Throughout the day which ran the gamut from sun to rain, the crowds were entertained by local performers, the high noon head shave, and chances to take a sledgehammer to a car. The technical support for the relay was provided by Zak Waterlow.
Each team member took a turn, or many turns, walking the laps of the relay course at James Donaldson Park starting at 10 in the morning all the way until 10 p.m. The last lap is done lit by candle luminaries honouring those who have died.
The top team was Da Yogi Bears from Rock Creek with $ 4,615 raised. (See the Sentinel’s article Relay for Life this weekend featuring this team). Other top teams included the Gazette 2012, Beta Sigma Phi Delta Delta sorority, and the Boundary District Hospital / Hardy View Lodge team.
Top individual fund raisers include: Cathy Heatlie, Kaare Powshuk, Dasha Hunt, Julie O’Brien and Jennifer McFarland.
For more information on the relay click here.
Click on the photos below to enlarge and view, or watch the video for live interviews and a taste of the day’s events.
