Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Relay for Life begins tonight

Jun 3, 2011 | 6:43 AM

The early morning rain didn't slow them down and after months of planning, Prince Albert’s 11th Annual Relay for Life is here.

The Canadian Cancer Society office in the city has been a busy place all week.

“It’s really exciting in here, because people are registering, especially as survivors, they’re buying luminaries and the teams are bringing their money in, so it’s been an exciting week,” said Laurie Dent, unit manager for the Canadian Cancer Society in Prince Albert.

There are 63 teams registered, a number of which are youth-based teams, she said.

Having many young teams is positive for the event, because through participation, the youth are learning more about cancer and the society itself, Dent said.

“Even (in) the scavenger hunt. They are finding out facts for the scavenger hunt, so it’s fun, but they’re finding out what we are all about and it’s exciting to see young people getting that awareness.”

The event begins at the Harry Jerome Track at 5:30 p.m. today and it’s not just for participants, Dent said.

“It would be wonderful for people from the public just to come to the event, it’s open to them. We have local entertainment on stage from about 5:30 until about 11 and our ceremonies go in that time as well. So it’s fun for people to come out and see,” she said.

The luminary ceremony is set to start at about 10:30 tonight, when thousands of candles will be lit in honour of those who have survived, fought and were lost to cancer.

ahill@panow.com