SUMMERSIDE – Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer.
That’s the reason Three Oaks Senior High school students and staff are gearing up for the second annual Youth Relay for Life set for May 16.
“Last year, it was a small group of dedicated individuals. We weren’t sure how it would turn out. But after raising $7,000 we were all excited and sure that it was something we wanted to do again,” said teacher-advisor Cara DeCoste.
This year’s goal is $10,000.
Pacey MacIsaac is a student survivor that will take the track during the survivor’s lap. He has also been a part of the school’s survivor lap recruitment team.
“We’ve been calling survivors, leaving messages and chatting with them inviting them to come and participate. It’s really great to see them come out.”
Like the traditional Relay for Life, the Youth Relay will feature opening, luminary and closing ceremonies.
“We’ll start with talking about Relay and what it means to us, then move onto the luminaries. They are an important part. They are candle-lit bags that are dedicated in honour or in memory of someone who has had a cancer journey.
“We’ll light them around sunset, emulating the journey some people go through. And then we’ll wrap up the event and reveal our grand total,” explained Georgie McKenna.
For many TOSH students, this is the big event of the year.
“We’ve had such a shorted school year we haven’t been able to host many of the activities we usually do. We had to a cancel TOAD (Three Oaks Activity Day), so it’s nice to still put this event together. I’m excited to see it all pay off,” said Haley Brennan.
This Youth Relay marks the first for students Sarah Hynes and Jadyn Gallant.
“It’s been really great to be a part of. We’ve seen a lot of student sign up and volunteers who may not get involved in other school activities, and it’s because it’s such a good cause. I’m really excited to see the luminary ceremony. As my first relay I haven’t had this experience yet, it something I could only imagine,” said Hynes.
Gallant agreed, “It’s been exciting. I’ve been trying to get more involved with school activities and recruiting people to help the event has been an important part. I’ve been surprised by the amount of people signing up to volunteer or put forward a team to walk in the event.”
Festivities begin a 4 p.m., when registration opens and runs until 5 p.m. Survivors are invited to attend the Survivor Reception at 4:30. Opening ceremony will begin around 5 and the event will run until about 10:30 p.m. The event will be held at the TOSH bus parking lot (MacEwen Road).
How to donate:
– Drop in to TOSH main office between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
– Drop in to the event
– Donate online: www.relayforlife.ca/TOSH
– Purchase raffle tickets: prizes include Cavendish Beach Music Festival 4 VIP weekend passes and other CBMF related prizes, accommodations for 2 guest rooms at Delta Prince Edward and Parks Canada admission pass. To purchase tickets, contact Dia-Lynn Keogh at [email protected]
– Purchase luminaries in honour or in memory of a loved one $5 each, contact McKenna at [email protected]
– Drop by for food at the barbecue and fry truck at the event