Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
Threatening skies weren’t enough to dampen the spirits of some 200 Napanee District Secondary School students who took to the track Thursday for a youth Relay For Life event.
The student-led initiative raised $11,000 for cancer research.
“The committee has been awesome,” said Charlotte Elliott, one of the students who helped organize the event under the guidance of NDSS staff leader Steve Roantree. “If we ask someone to do something, they go above and beyond.”
Students were joined by members of the community wearing bright yellow shirts who had beaten cancer as they walked laps around the NDSS track. They carried signs to show support for friends and family members who have been touched by the deadly disease.
Aliya Cherneskie and Kierstin Simpson sport a tropical avocado theme during the NDSS Relay For Life. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
“I think it’s amazing that we can have this many people come out in this weather,” said Elliott, noting the dark skies, which did eventually pour rain about two hours into the four hour event.
This year’s event hit close to home for the students, as two of their own have been diagnosed with cancer. The event opened with a Grade 10 student sharing his story on dealing with leukemia.
“It can be an eye opener to students that it’s not just older adults that are suffering from cancer, but kids our age as well,” said Elliott.
Another team was walking laps to show support for another student currently in the hospital.
Later in the event, luminaries were lit in memory of those who had lost their battle.
While there was plenty of somber and humbling moments, there was plenty of hope to offer as well. Like previous Relay For Life events, the students strived to strike a balance between raising money for a good cause, raising awareness and celebrating life.
NDSS students take part in a game of bubble soccer. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
As students walked laps around the track, fundraising games were held throughout the field, including a game of bubble soccer-essentially a game of soccer but the players wear a giant inflatable ball to absorb the shock of running into their opponents.
This marked the second year NDSS students have organized a Relay For Life event, which is now the only event of its kind help in Napanee. The community event has been merged with Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington event, which takes place June 22 at Kingston’s Invista Centre. For more information on this event visit www.RelayForLife.ca.