The 25th annual Relay for Life Bay of Quinte kicked off on Saturday afternoon.
Twenty-seven teams representing groups from Quinte West and Brighton, Belleville and Prince Edward County gathered at Trenton High School to relay around the track and raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
At the end of the relay after 10 p.m., the teams, individuals and their supporters had raised at least $60,000 of the $64,000 goal with money still expected to come in.
Karen White, a 20-year volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society, said the yearly fundraiser was about hope.
“We are here to move and be moved. It is the vision of the Canadian Cancer Society to unite and inspire Canadians to take control of cancer, which is achievable if we all work together,” said White. “Together, we can change the future of cancer.”
Funds raised for the Canadian Cancer Society support not only research but provide transportation to and from treatments, specialty medical items to support cancer patients and accommodations for those patients needing it.
Two out of five Canadians are expected to face cancer during their lifetime.
The Relay for Life Bay of Quinte is an amalgamation of the previous separate events in Belleville, Quinte West, and Prince Edward County, and Brighton.
Bringing greetings from their municipalities were Mayor Jim Harrison of Quinte West, Roy Pennell of Prince Edward County, Belleville city councillor Sean Kelly, deputy mayor of Brighton Ron Anderson, and Chief of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte R. Don Maracle.
Some of the relay’s participants warm up before the event began Saturday at Trenton High School. (Photo: Quinte News)
Longtime volunteer and Chair of the local relay Karen White. (Photo: Quinte News)
