Bonnie Hickey's inspiration for participating in the Relay for Life changes over the years, from uplifting to nostalgic to determined.
"It's run the full gamut of the Relay for Life mantra - celebrate, remember, fight back," she said.
When Hickey began, it was to honour her aunt Yvette, who passed away from colon cancer at the age of 48 in 1992. But after her own diagnosis of breast cancer in January 2004, the event took on a whole new meaning.
"That year was a way to say, 'I'm in the fight,'" said Hickey, who will once again take part in the Canadian Cancer Society's 2012 Prince George Relay for Life, which is
celebrating its 20th anniversary.
"After a year of treatment, participating in relays since then has been a way to celebrate my victory over cancer and a means to pay back for the treatments I've
received," said Hickey.
"Since my diagnosis, I've had numerous friends who've went through the cancer journey. You can't go through the treatments for them, so participating in the relay has been a means for me to show my support for them and fight back."
As the only 24-hour relay event in Canada, and the second largest in western Canada, the Prince George Relay for Life will take place from 10 a.m. May 12 to 10 a.m. May 13 at Masich Place Stadium.
The non-competitive event features teams or individuals coming together to raise money for cancer research and prevention as well as to provide support for people and families touched by the disease.
This year, the volunteer Relay for Life team is aiming for 130 teams to take part.
Team-generated revenue is key to the success of the event. Last year 121 Prince George teams brought in $370,752 - out of a grand total of $400,000 raised.
As an incentive, those who register online by Jan. 31 will be entered in a draw for an iPad. Teams of 10 or more registered by the end of the month will also have the opportunity to win a luxury tent for the Relay.
Money raised through the Relay for Life gets filtered through cancer programs and support services across the country, but the benefits are still felt locally.
"One of the ways the funding comes back to this community is through our financial support program for people that have to have accommodations for treatment, through the provision of the Kordyban Lodge, through the developments and research that have led to better treatments for people undergoing cancer, no matter where they live and also through our health promotion programs, where we actively go out and educate the public on healthy lifestyles, environmental and occupational carcinogens," explained Margaret Jones-Bricker, regional director of the Canadian Cancer Society.
Over the past 15 years, the Prince George relayers have brought in $4,281,502 to the cancer society.
Although exact figures weren't available, organizers said there was definitely more than $4.5 million raised since 1993.
To mark this year's milestone, the Relay for Life is kicking it old school and harkening back to its introduction as the Romp 'n' Stomp.
The event will have a 1993 theme, with participants encouraged to bring back the early '90s any way they can, through hairstyles, clothing and memorabilia.
The Canadian Cancer Society will hold an open house Monday, Jan. 23 (suite 300, 500 Victoria St.) from 4 to 7 p.m. to provide an opportunity for teams to register, pick up team packages and to find out more general information about the Relay for Life.
"It's a community event and people, when they do come out and participate, it's quite an emotional, inspirational weekend," Jones-Bricker said. "You kind of leave feeling rejuvenated and like you're part of something. You're not alone."
To register online, visit
www.relaybc.ca.
