Once a year, the community gathers to raise money for cancer research. The Relay for Life provides an opportunity for each community where it's held to rally around friends and family who are living with cancer, and to remember those who have lost their battle.
The festivities officially begin at 7:00pm with the victory lap, an opportunity for cancer survivors and their families to walk a lap of the track. Each survivor carries a balloon bearing the number of years since they were diagnosed. As the lap concludes, all the walkers make their way into the mid-field and the balloons are released. Since they are all helium filled, they float away into the sky.
From that point onward, anyone who has come is free to walk laps of the track. In fact, each walker is also given a cord and invited to collect a bead for each lap he or she completes. The beads are threaded together to become a necklace or a wristband, a small reminder of those who are suffering with cancer.
On the outer bounds of the infield, luminaries are arranged: each one for a person who has lost the battle. As the sun sets, these luminaries (white bags containing candles and sand) are lit. Flames flickering within the bags give the impression of lamps lighting the way through the darkness.
At an appointed hour, all the movement around the track comes to a halt and those present are invited to observe a moment of silence in memory of those who have lost their battle. Whether there are prayers offered or just silent reminders, this is a very emotional moment for some, and a touching occasion for all.
Throughout the night hours, people come and go. They walk, they sleep, they visit, they pray. Over the years, the Relay continues to grow. Sponsors bring food to feed the participants, all free of charge, but donations to the Canadian Cancer Society are always welcome.
The Relay continues throughout the night hours, and concludes when the sun rises. In the case of this city's offering, the parade continues until 7:00am local time. Twelve hours devoted to remembering, celebrating and fighting back.
The festivities officially begin at 7:00pm with the victory lap, an opportunity for cancer survivors and their families to walk a lap of the track. Each survivor carries a balloon bearing the number of years since they were diagnosed. As the lap concludes, all the walkers make their way into the mid-field and the balloons are released. Since they are all helium filled, they float away into the sky.
From that point onward, anyone who has come is free to walk laps of the track. In fact, each walker is also given a cord and invited to collect a bead for each lap he or she completes. The beads are threaded together to become a necklace or a wristband, a small reminder of those who are suffering with cancer.
On the outer bounds of the infield, luminaries are arranged: each one for a person who has lost the battle. As the sun sets, these luminaries (white bags containing candles and sand) are lit. Flames flickering within the bags give the impression of lamps lighting the way through the darkness.
At an appointed hour, all the movement around the track comes to a halt and those present are invited to observe a moment of silence in memory of those who have lost their battle. Whether there are prayers offered or just silent reminders, this is a very emotional moment for some, and a touching occasion for all.
Throughout the night hours, people come and go. They walk, they sleep, they visit, they pray. Over the years, the Relay continues to grow. Sponsors bring food to feed the participants, all free of charge, but donations to the Canadian Cancer Society are always welcome.
The Relay continues throughout the night hours, and concludes when the sun rises. In the case of this city's offering, the parade continues until 7:00am local time. Twelve hours devoted to remembering, celebrating and fighting back.
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