Every year, Relay For Life participants spend months fundraising on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society and get recognized for reaching their individual fundraising goals at Relay events across the country. The move to declare June Relay For Life Month paves the way toward bringing together Relay participants to experience an event that rallies hundreds of communities across Canada over the past 16 years.
“Two out of every five Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime. Money raised through Relay For Life helps the Canadian Cancer Society save lives,” says Tonya Stewart, Relay For Life Director. “In order to save lives, we are raising $17 million and we need more Ontarians to sign up to help us reach our goal this year.”
The Society is the only cancer charity in Canada that carries out all of the following:
· funds significantly more cancer research than any other charity in Canada and is the only charity that funds research into all forms of cancer
· provides practical and emotional support for cancer patients, caregivers and those looking to get healthier. No other charity offers the range of information and support services proven to decrease anxiety, increase coping and provide hope. In 2014, the Society helped close to 66,000 Ontarians
· invests in prevention work related to healthy living and cancer screening, reaching deep into Ontario communities. From workplace campaigns to school initiatives to working with new immigrants, the Society mobilizes Canadians to stop cancer before it starts
· advocates for public policies that protect Canadians from cancer-causing substances at work, at home and at play. Successes include the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, Skin Cancer Prevention Act, Toxics Reduction Act and ColonCancerCheck
“We can’t do this work without our Relay For Life participants and the communities that support them,” says Stewart. “That’s why we’re asking Ontarians to accept the baton, help us achieve our goal and then come celebrate at one of the 76 unforgettable events happening during Relay For Life Month.”
Accept the baton. Learn more at relayforlifeontario.ca or Relayforlife.ca/guelph!
