This is latest press release, I submitted to Woodstock Sentinel-Review to promote the 12th annual Relay For Life in Woodstock, June 17-18. It appeared on front page May 25.
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By Mark Schadenberg
The Relay For Life key message is: 'Celebrate . . . Remember . . . Fight Back.'
Participants in the Woodstock Relay For Life fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society scheduled for June 17-18, will honour survivors of a cancer diagnosis, but at the same time remember those who died from the disease.
One gesture of honour is to purchase a luminary and then participate in the Relay For Life lighting of the luminaries at 10 p.m. on the night of the event at College Avenue Secondary School.
For a donation of $5, luminaries can be purchased at several retail and commercial outlets in the area, and also at the Woodstock farm market at the fairgrounds every Saturday leading up to June 17.
Woodstock steering committee member Bonnie Hartley recalls her first participation in the Relay in 2001, and in particular the glow of the lit luminaries.
"It was a fabulous crisp, clear starry night and the track was rimmed on both edges with thousands of luminaries. It felt like an amazing runway with the candles guiding my way as I read name after name after name. Many were in memory of those whose battle was over, but many more were for those still fighting," says Hartley.
"I began to see names of people I knew, but was unaware of their struggle. That was a little shocking," Hartley added. "The sheer number of names -- many repeated (with more than one luminary) by loving supporters. It was overwhelming."
Last year, the Woodstock Relay featured 82 teams and more than 1,800 luminaries were purchased. The goal for 2011 is 85 teams and $250,000 through pledges collected by participants and related fundraising endeavours -- car washes, barbecues, bake sales, concerts and even weeding neighbourhood gardens.
Among the three Oxford Relay For Life nights, $519,000 was raised last year for the on-going dedicated work of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the Oxford unit. This year's other county Relays are in Tillsonburg, June 10-11 at Annandale; and in Ingersoll on June 24-25 at IDCI.
The committee for Woodstock continues to seek those interested in participating or volunteering in any capacity. You may call the CCS at (519) 537-5592 or see www.relayforlife/woodstock. You can register for the Survivor Lap (part of the night's kickoff at 7 p.m.) online also.
If you want to enter a team, contact John Hunt at je.hunt@lycos.com or (519) 421-0307.
Joining Relay For Life, is both personal and emotional. Everyone emerges with their own thoughts and feelings. Hartley, for example, recalls first becoming involved on a team with fellow teachers.
"The early part of the evening was very busy and social, but at 3 a.m. I decided to look for the luminary I had dedicated to my Dad who had died from cancer years before. They were not sorted alphabetically as they are now. What had started as a fun staff event had an amazing impact on me that early June morning. It became a vigil that I have attended every year since, and the highlight continues to be that quiet walk surrounded by those glowing names.
"In 2005 a dear friend lost her fourth battle with this terrible disease and I created a team in her honour," Hartley continued. "Team members came from all over the area and it was an empowering way to pay tribute to her life-long struggle.
"Since then I have become involved in the steering committee helping to honour our Survivors. As was mentioned by one person on our committee, perhaps Survivor doesn’t quite capture who they are. Fighters, champions and soldiers may better describe their reality. And we need to fight beside them so that one day there will no longer be a need for luminaries."
This is the 12th year for Relay For Life in Woodstock and the theme is Dazzling Dozens. Twelve is a significant number as the Relay is a 12-hour team non-competitive overnight fundraiser to assist in both the financial need necessary to conduct cancer research, but also to create programs and support services for cancer patients and their families. For example, in 2010 in Oxford alone, the local CCS office provided 2,599 client trips for treatment for a total of 130,000 km. The association also offers a peer program for both one-to-one and group support.
Co-chair Nancy Springstead says there are many reasons to Relay.
"My philosophy is that I can make a difference, and I aim to do just that. Being involved in Relay For Life is fun and satisfying."
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