By Katie Ryan
Travis Keel isn’t the only one in the city who hopes the weatherman is wrong. As of Tuesday morning, 91 teams have registered for Relay for Life, willing to brave the rain and cool temperatures forecasted for Friday by Environment Canada.
Despite the inclement weather, Lloydminster’s Canadian Cancer Society unit manager said this year’s Relay is shaping up well.
“We are definitely getting into the crunch time,” laughed Keel, adding the 49 Avenue office has been bustling with activity. “Every single day there are people coming and going, volunteers coming writing luminaries and wrapping cookies – there is always somebody in here doing something. Every different committee has their own (list) of what they need to have for the event, so everybody is being pulled in their own direction I guess. The light at the end of the tunnel is definitely there.”
Bud Miller Park will be transformed tomorrow evening. Tents will be pitched, teams will unite and show their support – step by step – for cancer research and camaraderie. Already upwards of 150 cancer survivors have registered for Relay’s first lap around Bud Miller lake – the survivor lap. And Keel expects that number will increase Friday afternoon.
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Lloydminster’s Relay for Life event and Keel’s first. In the nine years Relay has been held in the Border City over 1,800 survivors have joined in the opening survivor lap around the Bud Miller Park, more than 840 teams have camped out and 3,000 volunteers have given their time and support.
“I think it’s second to none,” said Keel, of Lloydminster’s support of Relay for Life. “The committee here is doing a fantastic job putting everything together. I am just blown away, they have done it so many times, they can do it with their eyes closed by now. I am very grateful to have the committee behind me that I do.”
To organize an event of this magnitude Keel said volunteers are crucial, estimating between 300 to 400 volunteers are working hard to ensure Lloydminster’s 10th Relay for Life will be one to remember.
“It doesn’t happen without volunteers, it’s put on by the volunteers, so this kind of event would not be here without the volunteer hours spent,” said Keel. “(I’m) taking in as much as I can so that I can help a bit more than last year, so I won’t be on such a steep learning curve. I am going to learn as much as I can from this awesome committee.”
The bar has been set high for Relay participants – to raise $350,000. Registration begins tomorrow in Bud Miller Park at 4:30 p.m., when teams can set up their campsites. Teams can still register tomorrow as well. The official ceremony will start at 7 p.m.