It's not quite the 20th anniversary that the Barrie/Orillia chapter of Relay for Life expected, but being made up of people who have dealt with cancer, nothing could stop the Canadian Cancer Society from celebrating lives.
Last year, the annual Relay For Life raised $23 million nationwide, with the local campaign raising close to $55,000.
In-person fundraising activities like Relay for Life, the April Daffodil Campaign and other door-to-door fundraisers are cancelled for now due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
As people and businesses struggle financially, co-chair for community engagement Scott McEachern told BarrieToday the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is anticipating a 40 per cent drop in revenue across the country.
“COVID-19 may shut down businesses, but cancer treatments don't stop and the fight to end cancer won't stop, either,” said McEachern. “CCS still needs fundraising dollars to fund vital research.”
One of the biggest events for the CCS, Relay For Life, was set for Friday, June 5 at Chappell Farms. The event sees teams of people congregate at a location to celebrate those who have survived cancer and those who haven’t. Teams raise money through donations to walk a track together or take turns.
The event has always been very interactive as teams would create camps with their names on flags and shirts, but this year will be different, as the CCS has moved it indoors to keep social distancing in place.
McEachern said Relay At Home will be only two hours instead of the regular six. No one knows what to expect, but McEachern believes it may be as close to the usual event as they can get it.
“Given this is the first year, and hopefully only year for Relay At Home, I'm not sure what to expect, in terms of experience,” said McEachern. “Our family plans to make a small track in our backyard we can walk/run/skip around when the time comes to Relay.
"There will be theme laps announced, so stay tuned," he added.
There will be the traditional opening ceremonies, survivor appreciation lap, luminary ceremonies and live entertainment for the remainder of the two-hour event.
Like many others who have seen cancer affect someone they love, McEachern and his family were not going to miss the opportunity to celebrate the many who have had to live with the disease that affects one in two Canadians.
“My sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer, so the event certainly hits closer to us as a family this year,” said McEachern. “We'll be honouring her battle and as a cancer survivor this year, as well as our aunt and uncles and grandparents that have had to face cancer.”
Relay at Home happens from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday, June 13. Register today at the website.
