The round the clock relay is headed for the city this Saturday as almost 140 teams come together with a goal of raising $550,000 for cancer research - and being first in the country for fundraising again.
Peter Goudal is just one of the many Relay for Life participants who will take to the track at Masich Place Stadium over the course of 24 hours Saturday to Sunday morning.
For Goudal, his participation is personal: not simply because he survived skin cancer, but because three co-workers in the last couple years have faced cancer and chemotherapy.
"I got a second chance so everyone deserves one," said Goudal, who is a vice principal at the Centre for Learning Alternatives.
While Goudal will ask anyone he encounters if they've donated, he thinks the purpose of the event, and his participation, is about more than the money.
That's why he planned an event this week at his school, inviting students to donate money in exchange for covering their vice-principal in whipped cream.
It was a fun way to talk about the importance of prevention and being aware of changes to your body, he said.
"I don't think too many youth actually think about checking their body over at this age. I think they take for granted a lot of the things like getting sunburns, swimming in lakes without sunscreen... even self exams."
At age 22, he learned he had melanoma and although he hasn't had a setback in the 30 years since, he didn't treat it seriously before his diagnosis.
"I ignored it for awhile. It grew on there for a number of years before I even got it checked out. I noticed something was different, but I didn't go to my doctor. Silly me," Goudal said. "It was just a mole and I treated it as such - but that was being 22 and invincible.
"I'm a lucky one."
The relay is just over halfway to its goal of $550,000 fundraised. Last year Prince George led the province with $600,000 raised.
"It's our responsibility as a society to come up with fundraising efforts so that the research can continue," said Goudal, who will also be donating his mid-shoulder-length hair, as will his two kids.
The event is the Canadian Cancer Society's largest fundraiser, which goes towards research and its prevention and support programs.
"Everyone is welcome to join us at Relay," said Helen Owen, team lead for the Relay For Life. "We have activities and entertainment for people of all ages, so please come down and support the event.
Attractions include a kids play zone with games and crafts, a photo booth until 6 p.m., helicopter flyover at 3 p.m., head shaving at 4 p.m., a barbeque at 5 p.m. and massages from Synergy Health & Wellness until 9 p.m., and luminary ceremony at 10 p.m.
Owen called on all cancer survivors to come out to the Survivor Victory Lap at 10 a.m. on Saturday, regarded as the emotional highlight of the event.
"We have a lot of new and exciting things planned for this year so don't miss out."
Starting at 6:30 p.m., there's a lineup of live performances by Sound Addiction, Burn it Down, Aimee Paul and Rick Stavely.
Las Vegas-themed activities will take participants into the twilight hours, with organizers encouraging costumes and tent decorations under the year's theme of "No. 1 - That's How We Roll, Betting It All On A Cure."
A Mother's Day breakfast is also planned, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
The Relay for Life starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and ends at 10 a.m. Sunday.
For more information, or to donate visit www.relayforlife.ca/princegeorge.
