By Adam MacDonald
Fernie and area residents turned out to the Fernie Secondary School track this past Saturday to show their support for the fight against cancer, in the Canadian Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life.
"The event today is fabulous, the weather is great, and we have awesome entertainment, awesome food, and awesome activities," said Betty-Ann Price, one of the coordinators of the event. The twofold fundraising event and celebration of survival is the Canadian Cancer Society's single largest fundraiser, with money going toward cancer research, advocating for public policies that reduce cancer risk, and information and support services for people living with cancer. "I think it's a fabulous way to bring community together over a good cause," said survivor and supporter, Evelyn Cutts.
Last year, along with over 17,000 teams across Canada, Fernie helped to raise $51 million for the Society, $46 million of which was invested in cancer research. "Sadly, our numbers are down," said Price, on this year’s Relay, "both in participants, teams, and so far, in our fundraising revenue. That's the cycle of Relay, though. Some years we have that happen.” Last year, Fernie teams and supporters raised just over $7000; this year they raised approximately half of that, coming in at over $3300.