Relay for Life coming back June 8 to NHHS

The Bancroft Crusaders Relay for Life/Relay Your Way event, in support of the Canadian Cancer Society is coming back again this year on June 8 at the North Hastings High School gymnasium from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year’s theme, as set by the Canadian Cancer Society is “It takes a society to take on Cancer.” There will be vendors, a silent auction, a 50/50 draw, live music and much more. Jennifer McGhee, a team member from the Relay for Life team comments on this event that supports those suffering with cancer, survivors, their friends and families and those who have passed on due to this terrible disease.

The Bancroft Crusaders Relay for Life/Relay Your Way event in support of the Canadian Cancer Society will be happening on June 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the NHHS gymnasium. All proceeds from this fundraiser go toward the Canadian Cancer Society. The team consists of fifteen members and they expect approximately 25 cancer survivors to join them in their honour lap on June 8. At 1 p.m. that day, if anyone would like to be among the survivors, organizers ask that you reach out to let them know, so they can welcome and include you.

The Relay for Life celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, having raised more than $610 million for people affected with cancer in Canada since 1999. The Bancroft Crusaders Relay for Life events started back in 2005 at HHHS, then it was held for years at Millennium Park. Then COVID-19 hit, and they went virtual in line with public health measures at the time.
McGhee says that when an individual or team registers for the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life event, they’re signing up for the community relay experience, planned and hosted by Canadian Cancer Society volunteer committees. Relay My Way on the other hand is a self-managed alternative fundraising approach approved by the Canadian Cancer Society and the Bancroft Crusaders have chosen this fundraising path since the pandemic.
“The Canadian Cancer Society Relay My Way event is a relay experience reimagined! The Bancroft Crusaders have registered for the virtual Relay My Way, and we are bringing that experience to our community on June 8. The Bancroft Crusaders hold fundraising events all year and on June 8, we will bring the community together to celebrate our success and to do one last push towards our final fundraising efforts. The Bancroft Crusaders decided to move the Relay My Way event indoors. With the help of Care North Hastings, we secured the North Hastings High School Gymnasium. Entry is at 14 Monk Street. The indoor venue will guarantee a warm and dry event because our relay events have always been rain or shine and it was usually raining. We look forward to the support of the whole community to come and join us,” she says.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society website, they’re committed to uniting and inspiring Canadians to take control of cancer, by funding high performance research to improve cancer outcomes and address the greatest opportunities for progress. They also lead change in the most pressing areas of cancer policies through prevention, access, affordability and support. They also provide the highest quality cancer information for all Canadians, promote cancer prevention and provide targeted support to help people with cancer, their families and caregivers’ cope. They take a comprehensive approach against cancer, unlike other cancer charities.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the positive impacts from fundraising support from events like Relay for Life across the country are; providing connection and support to more than 237,000 people through their online portal CancerConnection.ca, providing trusted information and compassionate support to over 46,000 people through their Cancer information helpline, providing more than 3,300 breast accessories, wigs and headwear, brought thousands of people to their cancer treatments (whether they needed transportation or a stay in one of their warm, supportive lodges), and successfully advocated for the extension of Canada’s Employment Insurance Sickness Benefit from 15 to 26 weeks, so people facing cancer don’t have to choose between a pay cheque and cancer treatments. More information can be found at www.cancer.ca and www.support.cancer.ca.

Some of the vendors they’ll have on hand on June 8 include; A&T Sewing, Lizzy’s Line, Jodie Antle, Sue’s Crafts, JMD Boutique, Creations by Colleen Dehm, Meraki Crochet, S&P Creations, Janet McGibbon, Valerie Riley, River’s Edge Painting, JoAnne Mountney Crafts, Colour Street International-Susan Urban, Linda Meahan Candles and Blankets, Sue Chambers Specialty Teas, and Bancroft Crusaders Used Books.
They’ll have a silent auction with generous donations from individuals and businesses near and far, according to McGhee.
“We have items such as fishing gear, gift certificates, art, clothing, gift baskets, plants and flowers, and beauty products,” she says.

There will be a sticker draw, which are Canadian Cancer Society virtual daffodil stickers for $10 each and when someone buys a sticker, their name is put into a free draw. McGhee says that on June 8, they’ll be drawing one name from a total of 235 names and that person will be the lucky winner of a beautiful, locally designed and crafted sold steel firepit ring.
“The Bancroft Crusaders relay team will donate all proceeds to the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay My Way,” she says.

There will also be live music that day to spur on the participants in the relay, with local musician Kirk Bates coordinating all the live music. McGhee says he has scheduled the following acts; Appalachian Celtic, Rebel Blossoms, Northbound, Kelly Family, Dale Dredge, Near the Open and Bates himself will be performing too.

McGhee says that with all the fundraising events they do year-round aside from the Relay for Life, like their semi-annual yard sale, donut sale, monthly Bingo and Euchre tournaments, annual hockey pool, silent auctions and sticker draws, they hope to raise $25,000 for 2024.
“The last two years combined, we raised over $108,000,” she says.

McGhee says that the Bancroft Crusaders team is focused on increasing the size of this event and increasing community awareness.
“We are incredibly grateful to local business owners who support the cause financially and provide items for our silent auction. We invite everyone to dedicate a luminary in remembrance or honour. The Luminary Ceremony at Relay My Way allows us to remember and honour those we love, every step of the way. Luminaries are tealights placed in personalized white paper bags. We have already sold over 150 luminaries for our event, and we will continue to take orders for the luminaries on the event day in the NHHS Gymnasium. The Bancroft Crusaders will light the luminaries on June 8 at 5 p.m. The Luminary Ceremony is a powerful, emotional experience as the luminaries bear the name or names of those we love who have received a cancer diagnosis or may no longer be with us,” she says.

McGhee told The Bancroft Times no registration is required to come out June 8 and everyone is welcome.
“Enjoy the live music, indulge in the barbecue, bid on the silent auction, purchase a sticker for the beautiful fire pit ring or shop the eclectic vendors’ booths,” she says. “Everyone is welcome to come and join the Bancroft Crusaders for the Canadian Cancer Society Relay My Way event.”

Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Bancroft Times