The 2017 Whitewater Relay for Life launched its campaign Thursday, March 16 at Beach-West Pharmacy, which is this year’s event sponsor. In the photo are, front from left, Orin Wattley and Tracy Gutzeit, representing entertainment sponsor Skyza, Hugh Martin and Sarah Vereyken, representing site sponsor Beachburg Arena and Beachburg Agricultural Society, team recruitment chairwoman Cindy Giroux, community officer manager Roger Martin, event co-chairwoman Angie Robinson, Jim Labow, representing event sponsor Beach-West Pharmacy, Claire and Ralph Martin, representing Lap Bead sponsor Beachburg Lions Club, and Carrie-Ann Tantalo, representing media sponsor Star 96.
By Connie Tabbert
Editor
BEACHBURG — There are thousands of movies, which hopefully means there will be no duplicates at this year’s Fourth Annual Whitewater Relay for Life.
“Whitewater Goes to the Movies” is this year’s theme, said co-chair of the event Angie Robinson. “We’re hoping teams jump on board with that and go with the theme for their tent and costumes, and that kind of thing.”
The kick-off for the event was held in front of Beach-West Pharmacy in Beachburg Thursday, March 16. However, the event is Friday, June 16 starting at 7 p.m. and ending Saturday, June 17 at 7 a.m.
Ms. Robinson noted there will be many things the same as in previous years, such as Farm Olympics, sports, Zumba, campfire, late night meal anda lip synch competition.
New this year is Skyza Zone, which is the new entertainment sponsor, she said. Skyza Ottawa Valley will be setting up a zone with their inflatable equipment and activities for all relay participants to use, she noted.
While the other Renfrew County Relay for Life in Petawawa has moved to a day-time event, Ms. Robinson said there won’t be a change for Whitewater’s event in Beachburg.
“The community has been really supportive of all night so we’re going to stick with that,” Ms. Robinson said. “It gives other people in outlying communities an opportunity to participate.”
Last year there were 22 teams, but some were huge with 20-plus members, she said.
People support this event because it’s a small community and people know how this disease affects their friends and family.
“It’s just a really supportive community,” she said.
This year’s honourary survivor is retired teacher and Cobden businessman Ted Barron. He had prostate cancer a couple of years ago, and his wife Daphne, is also a cancer survivor, having beaten breast cancer about seven years ago, said Roger Martin, manager of the Renfrew County and Perth branch offices of the Canadian Cancer Society.
Mr. Martin also feels this could be one of the biggest Relay for Life in Whitewater due to the recent passing of Patsy Moore, a well-known cancer survivor for more than 20 years, but who succumbed to the disease on March 1 of this year. Ms. Moore was a friend to many, helping whomever needed it. But, she also grew up in Beachburg and was an employee with the municipality since 1991.When she died on March 1, the municipality lowered township flags until sunrise of the second day.
“The support will still be there,” he said. “Patsy had a really big team on and off the track. Lots of people in Whitewater Region are still mourning Patsy’s passing.
“I think they will fight back against cancer even harder than ever because they don’t want to see anymore friends and family disappear. I hope alot more teams come out to celebrate the other survivors.”
Talk to Council
Prior to the kick-off, Mr. Martin and Cindy Giroux, team recruitment chairperson for the Whitewater Region Relay for Life, spoke at the Wednesday, March 15 Whitewater Region council meeting about the Relay for Life event in Beachburg.
“The Whitewater Region Relay for life is a 12-hour-overnight event,” she said. “It is more than just a cancer walk, it is a journey; one that takes us from the opening ceremony and celebratory survivors lap; to the emotional and uplifting luminary ceremony as evening turns to night.”
Throughout the 12 hours, relayers walk the track, participate in the fun, energizing activities that go on all night and participate in a sunrise closing ceremony.
Ms. Giroux noted the ball diamond is the perfect spot for the event since the site is enclosed, the track is well-lit and the stage and activities are all centrally located to give everyone the opportunity to participate.
She noted there are many reasons she participates in the event, including losing a best friend to the disease. Statistics show that the number of trips volunteer drivers made in in 2015 and 2016 totalled 2,641. The drivers are reimbursed from funds raised at events such as Relay for Life.
“That is 2,641 trips that people did not have to worry about getting behind the wheel of their own vehicle; they could focus their energy on doing what they needed to on that day; and in some cases, parents were able to ride with their children instead of having the stress of driving added to what they were also facing.”
Ms. Giroux also noted that some of the dollars raised goes to cancer research, which has increased survival rates.
“This would not be possible without the money to conduct the research to find better treatments,” she said.
Mr. Martin gave council his condolences on the death of Ms. Moore. He also advised council on how it could still help with the relay this year.
“You can help by putting in a team or joining a team or participating as an individual,” he said.
He also noted council members can volunteer their time, stating that a volunteer co-ordinator is currently required.
Mr. Martin further noted council could donate towards the event through the luminary letter sponsorships, which is about $150 per letter.
Mr. Martin is hopeful there will be at least 30 teams participating, which would mean, hopefully, at least 300 people gathered together for the same cause in Whitewater Region.
2017 Sponsors
There are seven major sponsors for this event:
Beach-West Pharmacy: event sponsor
Dunbar Home Inspections: survivor sponsor
Beachburg Agricultural Society and Beachburg Arena: site sponsors
Sunsign Graphics: signage sponsor
Star 9: media sponsor
Skyza: entertainment sponsor
Beachburg Lions Club: lap bead sponsor.
Services Provided by the Canadian Cancer Society
Caner information; cancerconnection.ca; smokers helpline; brochures and booklets; peer support service; wheels of hope; cancer.ca and community services locater.
The Renfrew County office can be reached at 613-735-2571.
To register for the event, go to relayforlife.ca/Beachburg or call 613-735-2571.
