Aaron Chatha

Multimedia Journalist

On June 15, community teams, made up of friends, neighbours and family members, will gather for this year's Relay For Life. From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., teams are expected to keep at least one member on the track at all times to raise money and awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society.

"It's been quite successful over the last few years and the communities have been very generous, Strathmore has been awesome," Sue Graham, area coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society, said. "Just what I've seen thus far, the sponsorships and donations have been terrific. We're really grateful for everything Strathmore has been doing for the Canadian Cancer Society."

The relay has been an annual event in the area for 11 years Graham said. It is one of the primary fundraisers for the Canadian Cancer Society, and in the Alberta and North West Territories division, over $5 million is raised annually.

The event is put on by a volunteer committee from the community who work with an are liaison, like Graham, to recruit volunteers, work out location logistics, food services and anything else required to get the event off the ground.

"They are a fantastic group in Strathmore," Graham said.

"There are several of them and they've been working very hard to put this together, so I'm very proud of them and the work that they've done."

During the relay event, three ceremonies will be held, Graham explained.

The first is the celebration ceremony, which celebrates survivors and those who have, for a time at least, won their battles. It is to remind everyone that there is always hope.

The second is the luminaries, or remembrance, ceremony. It is a more somber affair, to remember those who have passed away and those who are currently fighting. It occurs at dusk and LED candles are set up around the track. People are given a few moments to reflect in their own private time.

Finally, there is the fight back ceremony, which is much more upbeat, involves all of the participants, survivors and volunteers. It will help people become inspired, hopeful ad reinvigorated to help the fight.

"It's a fun-filled 12 hours, to be honest with you," Graham said. "There's lots of activities and quite a stunning line-up this year in Strathmore."

To donate to a team, or to register your own, visit relayforlife.ca, choose Alberta, then Strathmore for the local page. Donations will be accepted into August.