Relay For Life Tillsonburg announces changes for 2015
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Canadian Cancer Society’s signature Relay for Life fundraiser is changing to a day-time event on June 6th
The Canadian Cancer Society Oxford County Community Office is making some bold changes to its Relay For Life event in Tillsonburg.
Steve Kyle, chair of the event since its inception in 2002, has officially passed the baton. During his tenure, the event has raised an amazing $2,395,618 to fund research, provide support services for local patients, promote healthy lifestyles, and advocate for policies that protect people's health.
Julie Dawley and Devona Allin are excited to take up the leadership baton as the event moves into its new format.
To help welcome more families and people to the event, Relay For Life will change from overnight Friday to a 12-hour Saturday event from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Participants can join the event as individuals, or as part of a team of friends, relatives or coworkers.
And back by popular demand… relay batons. At the 2015 Relay For Life, participants will pass the baton from teammate to teammate as they walk the track. As research shows that physical activity can help prevent cancer, participants will be encouraged to set a distance goal for the event (e.g. one lap to 10 km) on an individual or team basis. Also new for 2015 will be pre-event walking sessions led by volunteer training walk leaders.
The year 2015 marks the 17th anniversary of Relay For Life in Ontario. Last year, events in communities and schools across the province raised more than $14 million. Money raised through Relay For Life helps patients and their families living with more than 200 different types of cancer, through life-saving research, support services and other important work so that fewer Canadians are touched by the disease. In 2015, to help participants meet or exceed a fundraising goal of $150, the Society will be providing motivational participant coaching to all registrants.
“We are excited to be evolving and strengthening our signature fundraiser," said Janis Cunningham, manager of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Oxford County Community Office, in a media release.
"We’re looking to take this powerful event to the next level and leave Relay For Life participants captivated by the experience and engaged in the Canadian Cancer Society’s important work of creating more survivors every day.
“We are evolving Relay For Life to help raise more money to fight cancer and help people facing cancer now. It’s important to note that we could not accomplish this important work without the dedication of our generous event participants, donors, volunteers, sponsors and staff. We are very thankful for their past support and invite everyone to be part of Relay For Life in 2015!”
Relay For Life in Tillsonburg will take place at Annandale School on Saturday, June 6, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. To register, join a team, or donate, visit relayforlife.ca/tillsonburg.
Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization dedicated to preventing cancer, saving lives and supporting people living with cancer through research funding, services and advocacy. The CCS is Canada’s largest charity fighting all types of cancer and a leading authority on cancer statistics and information. To learn more, call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca.