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Relay for Life hits the track this weekend at McLeod Park

Annual cancer fundraiser has already topped $100,000 for the year
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Cancer survivor Bonnie Battisoni

Hundreds will descend on McLeod Park for an overnight fight against cancer in the annual 12-hour Relay For Life Friday and Saturday.

Already, donations to the Langley fundraiser top $100,000.

The Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It’s an opportunity to get together with family, friends and the community celebrating cancer survivors, remembering loved ones lost to this horrible disease and fight back for hope of finding a cure.

This year’s theme is “Going Back in Time” with many teams already ready with their costumes. The relay starts at 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday and includes teams of Langley students, government organizations and hundreds of teams made up local residents touched by cancer.

Cancer survivors take in the victory lap to kick off the Relay. It is one of the most powerful moments of every Relay.

A sea of men, women and a few children, all clad in yellow shirts, walk the first lap of the Relay, accompanied by the applause and cheers of loved ones, friends and strangers.

There is also the Luminary Ceremony, where luminaries are lit and placed around the track at twilight, each representing and honouring a loved one who lost their battle with cancer.

The Relay ends with a “fight back” ceremony that unites all the team members who stuck it out all night for the fight.



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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