Relay for life forges ahead despite pandemic
The Canadian Cancer Society’s flagship fundraising event, Relay for Life, forged ahead this weekend without breaking health orders prohibiting gatherings.
The event looked a little different this year, transforming into a one-hour online event enjoyed by relay teams across the country.
“Everyone is committed to changing the future of cancer,” said Tope Taiwo, communications lead for Relay for Life. “It’s not a journey anyone should do alone.”
The fundraising goal for Winnipeg was exceeded with almost $73,000 raised, thanks to the commitment of about 125 participants split between 24 teams.
“It was so exciting to see Canadians come together for a common cause of funding groundbreaking research in the face of cancer,” said Taiwo.
Saturday night’s proceedings included stories of cancer survival, including one person’s journey with pandemic-related treatments delays.
“The community still remains strong despite COVID. The community is still able to show that the community is greater than cancer, life is greater than cancer,” said Taiwo.
Some relay traditions remained, with participants having the option of placing luminaries in their homes to remember their loved ones.
“That element was still there even though we are still virtual, and we could have a moment to remember people we have lost due to cancer,” Taiwo said.
Nationally, about $3,500,000 was raises for cancer research.
The hope is for next year’s event to be in-person.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.