BARRY’S BAY – Despite the gloomy forecast, hundreds of people gathered at the field behind Madawaska Valley District High School to honour those that have been impacted by cancer.
Team Angels will stomp the devil out of cancer dressed the part as angels and devils.
CHRISTINE HUDDER
Staff Reporter
BARRY’S BAY – Despite the gloomy forecast, hundreds of people gathered at the field behind Madawaska Valley District High School to honour those that have been impacted by cancer.
The fourth annual Relay for Life in Barry’s Bay took place on the evening of May 25. While event organizers braced for severe thunderstorms, the clouds parted and the weather cooperated for the night.
Kathy Kennedy from the Renfrew County Canadian Cancer Society filled-in for Chair Donna Smith. She took to the stage to welcome everyone to the relay and introduced some keynote speakers.
“In Barry’s Bay and communities across Renfrew County, it’s very important to come together when faced with cancer,” she said. “It’s a very personal journey unique to each one of you and we want people to know that you don’t have to be alone – that’s whether you are a cancer survivor or a caregiver or just a very good friend of someone that you love truly that has cancer.”
The Relay for Life features teams of people who hit the outdoor track from 7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. to raise money to combat cancer.
Kennedy noted that some participants were wearing bright yellow shirts. Those people are cancer survivors.
“Yellow signifies victory,” Kennedy said. “It brings pride that we have so strong and stood tall in the face of cancer. It brings hope to those currently facing this disease.”
She encouraged those battling cancer to not lose site of their goal of beating the disease.
“Don’t feel alone, feel united for walking this track tonight,” Kennedy said. “You are joining forces with nearly four million people worldwide who will relay… If there is one message that you need to know [it] is that you are not alone. Together, we will make cancer history.”
She congratulated the younger generation for getting involved in the relay, especially the youth from the high school.
“When we see young people gathering together with some of us older people, it’s wonderful. It’s awesome. Thank you to all of the high school teams that have stood up and said ‘I want to fight cancer.’ You guys are awesome,” she said.
Story continues in the May 30 issue of The Valley Gazette. Check out the gallery!