(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Fundraisers

Relay for Life plans halted

Mar 30, 2020 | 2:01 PM

The Canadian Cancer Society has cancelled all in-person fundraising events and initiatives until the end of the summer, which includes Prince Albert’s Relay for Life event.

The popular fundraising event was scheduled to take place May 22. While acknowledging the current health risks associated with running the event, local coordinator Charlene Bernard told paNOW she is feeling disappointed.

“Relay for life is an important way in our community that people show their support for the cancer cause, as well as for those that are touched by cancer,” she said.

Bernard added the event is also important involved in the luminary ceremony, which provides a way for them to honour their lost loved ones. While the possibility of the event being re-scheduled has not entirely been ruled out, Bernard was not very optimistic.

“It looks like all the events will be cancelled, probably for the year. But we will know more in the upcoming weeks,” she said.

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The 2019 Relay for Life Event was held at the Alfred Jenkins Fieldhouse. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

The annual event helps raise money for cancer research as well for various support programs offered by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). A total of $69,221 was raised from the 2019 Relay for Life event in Prince Albert, and there were a total of 95 participants, and 136 survivors. Fundraising by the teams involved often gets started the moment one event ends. Bernard said all the money raised this year will still be put to good use.

“Right now we are finding more than ever our digital and phone support programs are being accessed very often, and are actually critical to the people we serve,” she said.

According to a statement on the CCS’s website, the organization plans to refocus efforts on online canvassing. Supporters are being encouraged to donate and receive a digital daffodil to honour a loved one, which they can share on social media.

More than one million Canadians are living with and beyond cancer. The CCS statement explained those with cancer are among the most vulnerable in our communities right now and are at greater risk of more serious outcomes from COVID-19.

Editor’s note: This article was amended to make clear the comments from the CCS are attributed to a statement from the organization.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell