"A cancer survivor is anyone who has ever heard the words, 'You have cancer,'" emcee Donna Wilson told the crowd at the Juniper Centre for the kickoff to the 2010 Relay for Life cancer research fundraiser, who later heard from Relay for Life committee chair Tara Howse that the goal for this year is to raise $100,000 in Thompson.
"Each day that I get up and get myself dressed and cook for my family and be there for my family is a day I'm proud of, a day why I'm glad to be here," said Atalia Hickey, the Thompson Relay for Life Committee's survivor chair, along with Barb Romanica.
Started in 1985 by Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, the Relay for Life was first held in Canada in 1999, when it raised $85,000. By 2008, there were 451 Relay for Life events across Canada, with over 200,000 Canadians participating on 18,883 relay teams, which included 36,415 cancer survivors. It is a non-competitive overnight relay with teams of 10 people walking or running around a track.
One of the 2010 Thompson Relay for Life's honorary survivors is Margaret Huculak, who told the people attending the Jan. 23 kickoff event about her lifelong battles with cancer, which began when she was only six months old.
"From what my family has told me, I was one of the first to have radiation treatment," said Huculak, who has participated in Thompson's Relay for Life since it started seven years ago.
June MacTavish is the other honorary survivor for this year's event.
Relay for Life sponsor the City of Thompson, which will provide the arena free of charge for this year's relay, was represented at the kickoff by Coun. Judy Kolada.
"All three senior council members have been affected by this disease," said Kolada, referring to herself, Stella Locker and Brian Wilson, who was also in attendance.
Last year's relay in Thompson raised $83,000 in cash for the Canadian Cancer Society through 32 teams and 330 participants, including 50 survivors, helped out by about 100 volunteers.
The kickoff included a cookie bake-off that raised $300 in a competition between four different batches of cookies.
The Thompson Relay for Life will take place April 23 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at the C.A. Nesbitt Arena.
