Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back – Relay for Life 2011

1 June 2011Clara D

For a group of 120 Brentwood students, last Saturday night served as a reminder of how blessed we truly are. The annual Relay for Life in the Cowichan Valley presented us with the opportunity to reach out and rally support for the Canadian Cancer Society and the work and research they do. Surrounded by those still fighting, as well as those who had won their battle against cancer, students walked and ran for four hours of the 12 hour relay, lending their support to the many brave souls in yellow survivor t-shirts.

After months of fundraising and teamwork under the inspiration of Brentwood’s own survivor, Mrs. Andrea Felix, the sunny Saturday evening made all the hard work worthwhile. In raising over $9,200, we have more than doubled last year’s total! The Brentwood contingent overwhelmed the Cowichan Sportsplex, our tight and bright costumes glowing around the track. The opening survivor lap elicited cheers and applause from the supportive crowds, a true celebration of life. For the following three hours, music echoed over the field and groups let loose to sing karaoke as the sun set.

At 10 o’clock, with most of the light faded from the sky, the lovingly decorated luminaries were set out around the edge of the track, bearing the names of those who had lost their battle to cancer and were fondly remembered. Four brave Brentwood students, Laura G , Nissan A , Noud H and Bella L, in an inspiration to all, took the stage to tell their stories of loved ones lost. In speaking to other members of the crowd, it was clear that each person had a story about how cancer has touched their life.

As we were lead around the track one final time, a bag piped “Amazing Grace. ” It was clear that everyone there had bonded together in their unanimous effort to make cancer history. Congratulations to all students who participated in the relay: your hard work and commitment is what made this night a huge success.

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