'Vegas Remembers' theme for 2010 Relay for Life event, Teams already busy on the fundraising trail
Posted Mar 11, 2010 By Chris Must
Email
Print
Tweet This
Click to Enlarge
Chris Must, Perth EMC
Vegas Remembers is the theme for the 2010 Relay for Life, and the first Elvis sighting has already happened. Posing with Mr. Presley at the relay launch at the Perth Civitan club March 4 were Debbie Moore, left and Jean Herbison of the Jackstraw Crusaders team.
Click to Enlarge
Chris Must, Perth EMC
Teachers also came in full costumer, including Paul Merridew.
Click to Enlarge
Chris Must, Perth EMC
Getting into the Shakespearean spirit at an early-morning masked ball at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute March 9, were Ashley Trodden, Christina Porteous, and Alysha Cousineau. Three Grade 10 English classes took part in the breakfast event, designed to bring their studies of Romeo and Juliet to life.
Click to Enlarge
EMC Events - Excitement is building as plans take shape for the 2010 Relay for Life. 
Chris Must, Perth EMC
Sarah Robertson, chair of the 2010 Lombardy Relay for Life, recognized Kathy Echlin, right, as the first team captain to sign up for this year's event. Echlin, captain of the "A Time for Hope" team, registered immediately after the 2009 relay ended.
The 11th annual marathon cancer fundraiser at the Lombardy Fairgrounds isn't happening until June 11, but 22 teams had already signed up to participate as of 4 p.m. Thursday, March 4.
Sarah Robertson, who is chairing the all-night event for the second year in a row, welcomed team captains, volunteers and cancer survivors to an official launch for the 2010 relay season at the Perth Civitan Club hall March 4.
"Tonight is an opportunity to say hello and welcome you to our relay family," she said.
Robertson told participants last year's relay, which marked the 10th anniversary of the event at Lombardy, attracted 84 teams with a total of 886 participants, and raised $214,176 to help fight cancer. The fundraising goal for 2010 is $250,000, said Robertson, adding "I'm sure you are as committed as we are." Organizers also hope 100 teams will sign up this year.
The Relay for Life is the largest nationwide fundraising event for cancer, with over 525 locations across Canada.
"Never give up," was the message delivered by several cancer survivors who were invited to share their stories at the launch. Dale Penstone, a member of the Almonte Civitan Club, said she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and not given much hope of survival.
"I'm now in remission, something they said would never happen," she said. "My message is never give up. Just believe."
Robertson said four teams were already registered for the 2010 relay within 24 hours after the 2009 event ended. She made a special presentation to Kathy Echlin, captain of "A Time for Hope," the first team captain to sign up.
The award for the most spirited team in 2009 went to the Jackstraw Crusaders of Gananoque, who came dressed in full scarecrow costume, complete with straw. "Scare away cancer forever!" said team member Jean Hurbison
"Our Relay for Life 2010 theme is Vegas Remembers," said Robertson. "We chose this theme because it is fun." Like the Relay for Life, Las Vegas is known for fun and entertainment - and staying up all night.
The entertainment lined up for June 11 will start at 5 p.m. when live bands will begin playing. Other night-time activities will include a hula hoop competition and a magic competition.
On the educational side the organizers will be highlighting colon cancer. Medical personnel will be on hand to answer questions about colon cancer.
People interested in supporting the relay who may not be able to commit to being around for the full 12 hours can still raise money by collecting donations from sponsors for the head-shaving event, which is set to start around 9 p.m.
blog comments powered by Disqus
