The Relay For Life is a little more than a month away and already there are more teams registered this year than last year.
So far, 17 teams have signed up to take part and organizer Cheryl Fry hopes to get 26 teams total. Last year 15 teams took part.
"I think with the awareness of so much cancer in the community, it wasn't hard to recruit people this year," said Fry at the Relay for Life kick-off party at the Last Drop Wednesday evening. "It seems like every day I hear of someone else with some sort of cancer."
The Relay will be similar as in years past. On June 12, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the teams will relay around the field at Mountain View Elementary while raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
There will be live music throughout the day from Sister Girl, new band Bon St. Jon and others.
Healthy eating will be the focus of this year's relay.
"A lot of people don't realize that if they eat healthy and listen to their bodies, that a lot of cancers can be prevented by those measures," said Fry. "Another thing people probably don't realize – cancer survivors or people fighting cancer – is that sugar feeds cancer."
Fry said she was involved with the Relay for Life because she has had seven people in her life who passed away from cancer.
"To me, this is a way to give hope that my grandchildren and possibly my children, would never every have to be scared of cancer – that there would be some kind of treatment for it," she said.
At the kick-off party, other people spoke up about why they were taking part.
"I relay because a girlfriend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer in January," said Sally Carmichael, who is heading up the sale of the luminaries this year. "We relay for friends and family that survived cancer and those that are fighting through it."
Tara Sutherland, who is organizing the relay team with the Village Idiot and Big Eddy Pub, said she was taking part because her father passed away from cancer a few years ago.
"I feel like volunteering for something like this is a really good way to give back," she said.
Robert Tippe said he was taking part because his wife's father died of cancer.
"I want to make all of us aware that cancer is a killer and we, as a community, should come out and support the relay because it is for a good cause," he said. "I hope there is a large turnout because of those who have lost friend and loved ones."
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Following is a list of Relay for Life fundraisers taking place in the coming weeks.
May 6 – Luminaries will be on sale at Cooper's Foods from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 7 – Team: Powder Springs has cooking lessons starting at 5 p.m. at the Last Drop. Lessons are $10 each, with $5 going to the Relay For Life. Call 250-837-5151 or drop into the Powder Springs to sign up.
May 13 – Team: Community Connections has a unique fundraiser starting at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Revelstoke Pharmasave. A selection of homemade pet treats and children’s craft supplies will be on sale, with all funds going to their Relay For life Team Fundraising.
May 14 – Team: Bloomin’ Yellow Roses is having a garage sale at 156 Greely crescent from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will have Tim Hortons coffee and donuts, with all proceeds going to the Relay For Life.
May 14 – Team: Farmer Savers is having a garage/bake sale and you can also buy a bag of dirt at Pharmasave while quantities last. All proceeds go to the Relay For Life.
May 21 – Luminaries will be on sale at Cooper's Foods from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 4 – Luminaries will be on sale at Cooper's Foods from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.