By Rhonda Massad
“Whether you are cheering on survivors, walking the track, passing the baton to your teammate or joining in exciting trackside activities, Relay For Life is more than just a cancer walk – it’s a journey,” Relay for Life 2017. I should be used to our community and the incredible way we mobilize for a cause but again last Friday night I was brought to tears listening to a testimonial by Mei Lin Yee at the Relay for Life in Pierrefonds. She spoke of her journey when she was diagnosed with incurable cancer. She explained how her only wish was to see her children grow up and one day hold a grandchild in her arms.
She spoke of the phone call from her oncologist where she was told she was miraculously free of cancer. I could relate to the fellow mom and grandmother who can’t imagine life without those very experiences. She now has the same chance I have because of how relentless people are at giving to the cause.
Honorary president of the Relay, Lori Graham emceed the event and spoke of her father who had recently been given a clean bill of health. They walked the victory lap holding hands along with many other survivors proudly wearing their yellow T-shirts that showed everyone they had made it.
More than 400 cities across Canada. The Relay for Life began at 7 p.m., dusk on Friday, June 9 and ended at 7 a.m. the next day. The event goes on through the night with people walking the track to help raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. The Becket Players sang songs, while other nibbled on hotdogs and hamburgers or ice cream and cotton candy. The weather was clear and bright. Much like the event itself.
At dusk, hundreds of luminaries are lit to pay tribute to those battling cancer or lost to the disease. The little lamps, each holding the name of a loved one, line the track for a very moving moment.
Congrats to the top teams
1 -RelayOPOLY ($23,436.27)
2 – 317 Lakeshore ($13,206.00)
3 – CTV ($8,790.00)
4 -Walkstars ($7,405.00)
5 – Walkers for knockers! ($4,805.00)
6 – Pfizer Pfantastics ($4,120.00)
7 – RBC NEXTGEN WEST ISLAND ($4,000.00)
8 -Lumos Against Nox ($3,333.01)
9 -Amec Foster Wheeler ($3,115.00)
10 -Renwiligans ($3,048.00)