Grand Forks Relay for Life takes year off
By Contributor
Relay For Life has been a staple event in the Grand Forks area for over a decade and some residents may wonder why there wasn’t one planned for this year. The decision not to hold the event was made after careful consideration and debate.
Notwithstanding the efforts of passionate volunteers and dedicated participants that joined us year after year, Relay For Life Boundary Country continued to decline in leadership volunteers, the number of participants and funds raised. Therefore, the Canadian Cancer Society had to make the difficult decision to discontinue the event this year and would like to extend sincere thanks to the many local people in the Grand Forks area who dedicated their time to the event over the years.
“Our many successful years with Boundary Country Relay For Life is in large part thanks to a small but strong group of leaders,” says Lori Stevenson, Manager of Annual Giving for the Southern Interior Region. “We are grateful to those individuals who engaged their community to participate, remember, celebrate, sponsor or volunteer. You have made an incredible difference in the fight against cancer.”
Going forward, there are many ways for Boundary residents to stay involved with the Society. The April Daffodil Campaign continues to be active in the area and the Society is always looking for volunteers to lead this campaign. There is also plenty of opportunity for new, independent fundraising initiatives through our newly developed Cancer Fighters independent fundraising program. This program invites anyone with an idea or passion to lead their community in the fight against cancer by developing their own event.
Saying goodbye to an era of Relay For Life can be tough for the many supporters who worked hard at planning this event and also to the participants who found closure or moments of silence and warmth to remember or cherish loved ones touched with cancer. The Society and its staff feel lucky to have been a part of such a meaningful event.
“Together, we have witnessed the changes in our community and in the way people choose to raise money and participate in the charitable sector,” adds Lori. “You have stood by us through challenging times and we know that you are here for the same reasons we are here – to eradicate cancer and support those living with cancer.”
The Society wants to hear from former Relay For Life participants with ideas or a passion to drive an event or campaign forward. Residents are encouraged to contact Lori at lstevenson@bc.cancer.ca with such feedback. For questions or concerns pertaining to volunteering, please reach out to Lori Pierson, volunteer engagement for the Southern Interior, at lori.pierson@bc.cancer.ca.
