The spirit of Relay for Life propelled seven teams through the night and raised more than $40,000 for cancer research and programs.
“For seven teams we did pretty darn good,” said organizer Shari Christensen.
She said beyond the funds raised, the event enjoyed great community support, with many necessities for the event being donated by local sponsors.
The top team at this year’s event was Tickled Pink. This is the group that brought in Truly Tina as a fundraiser. They raised $14,267, earning a gold status. The Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Elvis and the Grannies each earned a silver status bringing $9,140 and $7,571 respectively. Lynn’s Luscious Ladies earned a bronze status with $5,430 and the Luminators brought in $3,365. The Nuemanators 1,000 brought in $2,235 and Eric Neuman’s pledge of his mane went to Warren Nicholls, and co-workers at the Royal Tyrrell Museum made the best of his new look. Tanya’s Dream Team raised $3,481.
The event kicked of with about 50 cancer survivors leading the way in the Survivor's Lap before team introductions. For the next 12 hours, the troopers trudged through the night with the goal of Celebrating, Remembering and Fighting Back.
Spirits were kept high throughout the night as a number of musical acts took to the stage including The Cat Country Cougar Hunters and the Fire Coulee Bandits. Jason Blanke emceed the event, which enjoyed beautiful weather throughout the night.
“The highlight for me was the seven diehard teams that showed up and raised an astronomical amount of money for who were there,” Christensen said.
To put it into perspective she explains if each team in the first Relay for Life raised on average of what the teams raised at this year’s event, it would have easily topped a half million dollars.
Supporters are still able to pledge funds toward the event by going to the Drumheller Relay for Life page www.cancer.ca/relay and following the links.
Next year’s event is slated for June 8.
