Typical "Junuary" rainy weather in Squamish didn't stop the dedicated fundraisers who circled the all-weather fields at Brennan Park on Friday and Saturday (June 22 and 23).
Despite hours of rain and soggy conditions, the annual Relay for Life in Squamish raised more than $85,000. Volunteer chair coordinator Cathie Greenlees said she was thrilled with the final totals.
"Once again Squamish showed just how much they care," she said. "From our volunteers workingthroughoutthe year to the sponsors who gave somuchand the participants who fundraised. Friday night confirmed that we all know that initiatives like Relay For Life and the Canadian CancerSocietymake a difference in the lives of those in our community."
The top fundraising team was the Brackendale Babes, who raised more than $14,000. In second was the Y2K's, as the group of 10- and 11-year-olds garnered more than $5,500. Coming in third was the Squamish Montessori School group with more than $4,800.
But it's not always about who raises the most money. Several different groups helped the event reach $85,000. One such group was Kaleidoscope World. The group had a goal of $1,500 but nearly doubled it, raising close to $2,800. Team captain Dennis Ranada said his group has been coming to the Squamish event for three years and it's always a great time. He explained his team's unique name.
"Kaleidoscope World was actually the name of a pretty Filipino rap song from the late '90s by Francis Magalona," he said. "He died of leukemia and it's a song that a lot of us in the Filipino community here in Squamish can identify with."
Ranada said the lyrics really speak of everyone coming together and an event like the Relay for Life is the perfect example of a community coming together despite its differences to fight a cruel disease.
"A kaleidoscope is a simple object but when you put it to your eye it makes a pattern," he said. "All of the separate colours and pieces of a kaleidoscope come together and form something beautiful, a pattern. And I think that is what this event is all about. We can all be a part of the same pattern. Our differences don't matter in the end."
Ranada said his team, made up of 11 members but with an additional 30 to 40 family members coming to support them every year, has fought through its own losses from cancer.
"One of our team members died of intestinal cancer last year," he said. "And we also lost a member this past January to cancer. It's an important event and we love coming every year. I especially like the luminary lap."
Greenlees said it's people like Ranada and everyone who participated in the event that help make Squamish a strong community.
"These types of events support research, prevention and support for those living with cancer, whilebringing thecommunity together in solidarity of this cause," she said. "Even thoughthe skies opened up on more than one occasion through the night, andsome of the planned entertainment were unable to attend at the last moment, our teamsmadeit through the night,with enthusiasm andspirit andmore than a fewbelted out songs and dances in the rain."
For more details on the Relay for Life, visit www.relaybc.ca/squamish2012.
