By Angela Hill

2011 Relay For Life launches in Prince Albert

Apr 7, 2011 | 7:30 AM

After 11 years Prince Albert’s Studs and Peelers are still going strong.

The Relay For Life team from Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment's Forest Service have been involved in the Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser since its inception.

“When I just heard about the event there was just something about it that caught my attention,” said Val Nicholson, who has been captain since the beginning.

The name is quirky and was decided on the first year, using forestry sector terms.

“Studs, of course, are a type of lumber and peelers are a large log. We were kicking around names and somebody threw out studs and somebody threw out peelers and we all laughed really hard and there it was,” Nicholson said.

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This year is Nicholson’s last year as captain, a role she is splitting with co-worker and teammate Carole Stewart.

When she took the idea of a team to her office, 11 years ago, she hoped at least, someone else would be interested, but in no time flat the team was built.

“There’s the ten or 12 people that are walking on the track, but we are backed up by the whole forestry service,” she said.

For Stewart it is a given to volunteer with the Relay For Life team.

“I’ve lost my grandmother and my best friend to cancer. I have friends that are fighting cancer at the moment,” she said.

“It’s exciting, it’s fun. The group of people is just amazing to work with.”

The annual Relay For Life launch in the city is hosted by the Studs and Peelers team.

“It’s really been great for our fundraising and great for team spirit at work,” said Nicholson.

On Wednesday the Forest Centre filled up with people from the public and survivors for the annual launch.

The Canadian Cancer Society’s Prince Albert Unit announces their honourary chair, this year Malcolm Jenkins. Last year Jenkins matched the amount of donations raised by the Prince Albert Relay for Life bringing the event total to $657,873.74, in honour of his late wife Melba. It was the largest amount raised in Saskatchewan relay history.

Jenkins calls the role bittersweet, as it was about a year ago that Melba succumbed to her long battle with cancer. He added that he is optimistic and the Canadian Cancer Society slogan Fight Back continues to inspire him.

There are terrific support groups, from people who have been that, done that.

“It’s not the thing to be feared,” he said.

This year’s Relay For Life event, a 12-hour community walk at the Harry Jerome Track, begins June 3. For more information or to register a team contact 764-4808 or go to cancer.ca/relay.

ahill@panow.com