By Teena Monteleone

Changes coming to Relay for Life

Apr 11, 2018 | 1:00 PM

The official launch of Relay for Life in Prince Albert included some exciting changes for this year’s event. In previous years, the fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society took place in Prime Minister’s Park overnight and usually on a Friday, but this year the date, time and location have all changed.

“This year’s event will take place at Kinsmen Park from noon to midnight on Saturday, June 2,” Prince Albert Relay Chair Lyle Karasiuk said. “We think the new location and new time will allow teams a better opportunity … especially those with younger participants.”

Karasiuk said the event has seen a dramatic increase in the number of young people and school teams participating. He said the changes will increase momentum and encourage more young people to participate.

“We’re planning for a carnival-like atmosphere at this year’s event, with dunk tanks and barbeques and food truck vendors,” he said. “We are also encouraging teams to decorate a tree in Kinsmen park to mark an area of honour or represent their team.”

Moving tributes like the Survivors Victory Lap and the luminary ceremony will still be a part of the fundraiser, Karasiuk said. Last year there were 190 survivors registered to walk the victory lap in Prince Albert.

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The Relay for Life is the Canadian Cancer Society’s largest fundraiser, with communities in more than 20 countries participating in the effort to raise critical funds needed to help people living with cancer and support life-saving research. In 2017, Prince Albert’s event raised over $125,000. The money also goes to support the families of those living with cancer, and Karasiuk said a special emphasis will be made this year on recognizing the challenges those families face.

“This year’s honorary chair is 16-year-old Chelsea Mitchell and her family. Chelsea’s family went through a lot of trials and tribulations following her cancer diagnosis. Her mom home-schooled her sisters while Chelsea’s treatment was taking place in Calgary,” he said. “We’ll have a sort of round-table discussion during the event to focus on the families.”

Participants were encouraged to register now and raise at least $150 leading up to the event. Last year, Saskatchewan participants raised more than $350 per participant.

Teena.Monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TeenaMonteleone