By Lori Bradish
Newly developed cancer-fighting drugs, camps for kids with cancer that provide special services for their medical needs, coordinating a support program to match cancer patients with someone who has had their experience, getting donated hair to the wigmakers – these are only a few of the programs your donation to the Elk Valley Relay for Life helps pay for.
That list is far from complete. In an effort to help people understand how their donations are being spent the Elk Valley committee is launching Relay for Life Awareness Week from March 18 to 24.
Awareness Ambassador Ev Cutts, a breast cancer survivor, can’t emphasize enough the need for community awareness.
“I really hope people can begin to understand the breadth and depth of work that the Canadian Cancer Society does,” says Cutts.
“As a member of our community, one of way too many, who has had a journey with cancer, I’m thankful every day for the work the Cancer Society has done. It’s by donations, whether large or small, that add up to their ability to do the research, develop effective treatments and provide various services to cancer patients and their families.“
Fernie merchants are getting involved with the program by decorating their windows in the Relay theme for the week. Co-ordinated by Relay volunteers the downtown core is expected to be bathed in blue and yellow.
To aid in that public education the committee has also developed a series of posters to be distributed throughout the community. Each poster will provide details on a Cancer Society program and feature a valley resident who will explain “Why I Relay”.
This year’s Elk Valley Relay for Life will be held at the Fernie Secondary School track on Saturday, June 8 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. A full day of activities is planned including honouring survivors as they lead the Survivor Lap, 10 hours of live entertainment on the concert stage, a range of food venues and ending the day with the inspiring and memorable Luminary Lap at 11 p.m.
Teams or individuals can register for the Elk Valley Relay at www.relay.bc.ca - choose the Elk Valley location. Follow the Elk Valley Relay for Life on our Facebook page Relay for Life – Elk Valley.