A community’s fight takes commitment.

If you want to make a difference in the fight against cancer, the Canadian Cancer Society needs you! With the 2013 Relay for Life scheduled to start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, event volunteers, teams and community leaders are needed to help the committee raise funds for the best in cancer research, prevention and support programs.

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community. It is because of dedicated volunteers like Invermere resident Sheila Tutty that Relay for Life is a great success in Columbia Valley.

Sheila says, “My role is ‘Relay Chair’ but I’m really the conductor for those who get the work done.”

Sheila (pictured above leading the Relay opening stretch last year) first started volunteering with Relay in 2007 after her first cancer diagnosis. “I was asked to be the ‘Survivor Chair’ and after two years became the ‘Leadership Chair’. Many of the volunteers on the committee have been diagnosed with cancer or have had family members or friends affected by it.”

When asked about the impact of Relay on her community, Sheila states, “We live in a small community and we are always hearing about someone being diagnosed with cancer. Our community raises a heck of lot of money and the Canadian Cancer Society provides a lot of support to those cancer patients and their families.  It is very rewarding to raise that kind of money for such a worthwhile cause.”

In the three years since Sheila has been chair, the Columbia Valley has raised over $196,000 through the Relay for Life.

This campaign is also an opportunity for cancer survivors to come together. “There are a lot of people in this valley that people don’t even know had cancer. Between the Luminaries and the Survivors’ Victory Lap, it is heart-warming to see so many survivors wearing yellow shirts,” she said.

This will be Sheila’s last year ‘conducting’ the Columbia Valley Relay for Life. “I want to give someone else the opportunity to step up to this role. We have a well-run event and I will be available to help the new Leadership Chair with anything that is needed. We have been doing this event for so long, the action plan is in place and it’s just a matter of finding the right people to carry it out. Change is good. New blood brings new ideas,” she said.

The society is asking Columbia Valley residents to participate in Relay for Life this June. Volunteers are needed now. Anyone interested in participating or taking on the Leadership Chair position can contact:

Jacqueline Salvino, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

[email protected]

800-403-8222

Established in 1938, the Canadian Cancer Society is a national charity that fights cancer by doing everything we can to prevent cancer, fund research and support people living with cancer. Join the fight! Visit our website at fightback.ca or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333.

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