Only 24 hours to go! The forecast is calling for some rain on Friday morning, but hopefully it will clear up by the time Relay For Life begins!
Here are some VERY IMPORTANT last minute details you should be aware of. Please take note of them and pass them along to all your team members.
First of all - rain or shine, Relay will go on! Cancer doesn’t sleep or go away in bad weather – so for one night neither will we.
PARKING
We encourage all participants to carpool to avoid congested traffic and parking headaches! Parking passes were handed out at bank nights.
PARKING LOT
The main lot is the large parking area south of Water Avenue. There will NOT be any "drop off" in this lot. All your supplies will need to be carried to the Relay site. Crossing guards and City Police will be present to assist crossing the street to Canwest Park.
DROP-OFF ZONE
We will have a "drop off" zone for those that require assistance with their camping gear. The attached map indicates the route to access this drop zone. NO parking is permitted in this area. Cars will be directed to a spot where you must unload your stuff and then drive out and into a designated parking area. Gators will be available to load and drive your stuff to your tent site.
Access to the drop off zone is via Westbrook Street. Drive west on Pioneer under the train bridge and turn right onto Westbrook. Signs will guide you to the zone. If you come west down Waterfront Drive you can also access the drop off as indicated on the map.
There are many Impark lots in the surrounding area as well if main parking lot fills up.
DONATION DROP OFFS
Any team or individual who has not deposited their donations and luminary money at one of the BANK NIGHTS which were held on May 20, 25, & 26 at the Canadian Cancer Society, donations should be submitted to the Banking area at the Relay on Friday, May 28th prior to 9:00PM, by TEAM CAPTAINS only.
TENTS
No tents will be permitted on the field if it rains. In case of rain, teams will be directed to the concourse level with all their belongings.
RESPECT THE BALLPARK
As you are aware, the tent site locations are on the grass ballpark. We must take caution to ensure we do not damage to their grounds.
No metal stakes; please use plastic ones for your tent.
No fires, no propane, etc.
No dumping of ice on the field.
No alcohol
No pets
The site map is not drawn to scale.
We are unable to guarantee that your tent site will be exactly as shown on this map. We will be adhering to the ballpark direction, guidelines and regulations, and the placement of equipment.
EXTRAS
For those of you wanting to participate in some of the fun games, contests and themed laps, the following are ones you will need to prepare or bring something “extra: for:
TEAM CONTESTS
• Best decorated tent site
• Best team costumes (costume lap)
• Team Cheer Contest
THEMED LAPS
• Pajama Lap
• Costume Lap
PLUS, we have an early morning yoga session at 5 a.m. Please bring your own yoga mat to use.
MERCHANDISE
As mentioned in the last Relay Rap, there will all kinds of Relay For Life merchandise for sale.
There will also be some food vendors open selling food, so we suggest bringing some extra money just in case!
See you all there; you’re in for one great night!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Curing Cancer One Cupcake at a Time
Our fourth honourary luminary lighter this year Derrick Godfrey. If his names sounds familiar it is because he is the president of The Cupcake Corner here in Winnipeg and Saskatoon.
Together, Derek and his staff of 5 have helped raise thousands of dollars to help find a cure to cancer one cupcake at a time. On top being incredibly proud to be asked to help out in this event, he wants everyone to know that its only with the incredible support they have received from the community that they can continue to help raise funds to fight this disease. He is in the process of losing his grandfather to cancer, and knows that events like this won’t save him, but will maybe stop someone else from losing their grandpa.
The Cupcake Corner has also a Relay For Life sponsor. These delicious cupcakes have popped at at previous year's relays, kick-off and Survivor and Team Captain receptions. Keep an eye out for them at Relay For Life tomorrow night! If you blink you might miss them, as these cupcakes go fast. Visit the store at 439 Stradbrook Avenue in Winnipeg (corner of Osborne and Stradbrook).
http://www.thecupcakecorner.ca/
The Cupcake Corner has also a Relay For Life sponsor. These delicious cupcakes have popped at at previous year's relays, kick-off and Survivor and Team Captain receptions. Keep an eye out for them at Relay For Life tomorrow night! If you blink you might miss them, as these cupcakes go fast. Visit the store at 439 Stradbrook Avenue in Winnipeg (corner of Osborne and Stradbrook).
http://www.thecupcakecorner.ca/
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Survivor Celebrates Victory by Fighting Back
Jackie Stephen was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) breast cancer in January 2007 and underwent a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. The positive outcome and gratitude Jackie felt for everyone who supported her and her family throughout the ordeal, led her, with the support of her close friends, to create the Keeping Abreast Fund, and raises money specifically for Breast Cancer Reconstruction Surgery Research & Education.
Jackie is the proud mother of two children, Katie and Dylan and works as the Director of Operations at FortWhyte Alive. She has also been an active volunteer with many Winnipeg organizations.
Jackie is the Honourary Survivor for this year's Winnipeg Relay For Life and will cut the ribbon for us on Friday May 28.
To find out more about Keeping Abreast, visit the website: http://www.keepingabreast.org/home/media/newspapers/
Jackie is the proud mother of two children, Katie and Dylan and works as the Director of Operations at FortWhyte Alive. She has also been an active volunteer with many Winnipeg organizations.
Jackie is the Honourary Survivor for this year's Winnipeg Relay For Life and will cut the ribbon for us on Friday May 28.
To find out more about Keeping Abreast, visit the website: http://www.keepingabreast.org/home/media/newspapers/
Luminary to be Lit in Honour of Shaw Ostapchuk
Les Keisman is a 20 year old who hails from Gimli. He is on the “Cooking Up a Cure” team because his best friend, Shaw Ostapchuk recently died from Lung Cancer at the age of 21. He was an amazing drummer and artist and is greatly loved and missed by anyone who had the blessing of knowing.
Les feels this is a beautiful ceremony in which to commemorate Shawn’s courage and strength, and to perhaps inspire others who are going through similar situations. He has been asked to light one of the first luminaries in honour of Shaw during the ceremony this Friday.
When the group from Olive Garden was assembling their team, it was with the intention that Shawn would be able to join them – With his passing, they are now walking in his memory.
Les feels this is a beautiful ceremony in which to commemorate Shawn’s courage and strength, and to perhaps inspire others who are going through similar situations. He has been asked to light one of the first luminaries in honour of Shaw during the ceremony this Friday.
When the group from Olive Garden was assembling their team, it was with the intention that Shawn would be able to join them – With his passing, they are now walking in his memory.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
REMEMBER LOVED ONES LOST...
Four words can be to describe Relay For Life: celebrate, remember, and fight back. At Relay For Life, we CELEBRATE the cancer survivors, REMEMBER loved ones lost, and FIGHT BACK to find a cure.
Three ceremonies take place at Relay For Life too.
Immediately following the opening ceremony, the inaugural lap known as the Survivors' Victory Lap gives survivors a chance to celebrate; and inspires hope to the rest of participants in attendance. Each year, the number of survivors that participate in the lap grows, showing we are headed in the right direction towards a cancer-free world.
The Fight Back ceremony that takes place at the end of the event the next morning, is a time for us to finish the Relay off with some inpiration. We take a moment to reflect on why we fight back and what we can do year round to keep our pledge to do our part to help eradicate cancer.
The other special ceremony happens at dusk - the Luminary Ceremony. We have a minute of silence and take a moment to light all the luminaries that surround the track. For many, it is a very emotional moment, especially those who have lost a loved one to cancer.
In Winnipeg, the Relay For Life committee has been working hard to make this year's ceremony a little extra special. Local musician Natalie Ramsey has written a special song for the ceremony which she will perform. In addition, there will be four special luminaries lit in honour of four special people with close ties to the Winnipeg Relay For Life.
Everyone who has lost their battle to cancer has a powerful story that will never be forgotten by their loved ones. We encourage you all to take the minute of silence during the luminary ceremony at Relay to pay tribute to your loved ones.
Everyday from now until Friday, among other things, we will post the biography of the four people who will ahve the first four luminaries lit in their honour at Relay For Life this year.
Today, we begin with Karalee Grant's story.
Karalee was diagnosed with a rare sinus cancer at age 19 and underwent radiation and surgery in Toronto. At age 20 she found out the disease had spread to her lunges and she started chemo. At age 22 she again heard the devastating news that the cancer had spread this time to her brain and at age 23 after a long hard fight succumb to this unrelenting opponent.
During Karalee's illness she became an advocate for Young Adult Cancer patients and survivors speaking at schools, doing both television and newspaper interviews furthering her message that cancer can happen at any age and it can happen to you. Due to Karalee's volunteer activities with the Canadian Cancer Society she was the recipient of the National Medal of Courage which was presented to her this February.
Karalee felt privileged to be asked to be the key note speaker at last years Relay for Life Summit which was held in Winnipeg. Karalee's speech both inspired and motivated the representatives and volunteers from across the prairie provinces who attended the event. The following is an excerpt from Karalee's speech:
"I live my life not letting cancer dictate what I can and cannot do, times may be rough during treatment but as soon as I am able I am fully enjoying life. I have a greater appreciation for the little things in life and believe as the wise Japanese proverb states ... Fall 7 times stand up 8"
Although Karalee stood up as many times as she could she passed away believing in loving life no matter what challenges you face.
Karalee Grant
Three ceremonies take place at Relay For Life too.
Immediately following the opening ceremony, the inaugural lap known as the Survivors' Victory Lap gives survivors a chance to celebrate; and inspires hope to the rest of participants in attendance. Each year, the number of survivors that participate in the lap grows, showing we are headed in the right direction towards a cancer-free world.
The Fight Back ceremony that takes place at the end of the event the next morning, is a time for us to finish the Relay off with some inpiration. We take a moment to reflect on why we fight back and what we can do year round to keep our pledge to do our part to help eradicate cancer.
The other special ceremony happens at dusk - the Luminary Ceremony. We have a minute of silence and take a moment to light all the luminaries that surround the track. For many, it is a very emotional moment, especially those who have lost a loved one to cancer.
In Winnipeg, the Relay For Life committee has been working hard to make this year's ceremony a little extra special. Local musician Natalie Ramsey has written a special song for the ceremony which she will perform. In addition, there will be four special luminaries lit in honour of four special people with close ties to the Winnipeg Relay For Life.
Everyone who has lost their battle to cancer has a powerful story that will never be forgotten by their loved ones. We encourage you all to take the minute of silence during the luminary ceremony at Relay to pay tribute to your loved ones.
Everyday from now until Friday, among other things, we will post the biography of the four people who will ahve the first four luminaries lit in their honour at Relay For Life this year.
Today, we begin with Karalee Grant's story.
Karalee was diagnosed with a rare sinus cancer at age 19 and underwent radiation and surgery in Toronto. At age 20 she found out the disease had spread to her lunges and she started chemo. At age 22 she again heard the devastating news that the cancer had spread this time to her brain and at age 23 after a long hard fight succumb to this unrelenting opponent.
During Karalee's illness she became an advocate for Young Adult Cancer patients and survivors speaking at schools, doing both television and newspaper interviews furthering her message that cancer can happen at any age and it can happen to you. Due to Karalee's volunteer activities with the Canadian Cancer Society she was the recipient of the National Medal of Courage which was presented to her this February.
Karalee felt privileged to be asked to be the key note speaker at last years Relay for Life Summit which was held in Winnipeg. Karalee's speech both inspired and motivated the representatives and volunteers from across the prairie provinces who attended the event. The following is an excerpt from Karalee's speech:
"I live my life not letting cancer dictate what I can and cannot do, times may be rough during treatment but as soon as I am able I am fully enjoying life. I have a greater appreciation for the little things in life and believe as the wise Japanese proverb states ... Fall 7 times stand up 8"
Although Karalee stood up as many times as she could she passed away believing in loving life no matter what challenges you face.
Karalee Grant
Friday, May 21, 2010
USE YOUR SUN SENSE!
If you live in Manitoba, you know the sun is out in full force and summer has arrived. The temperature reached +30 this week and it is only May! If this is any indication of the kind of summer we Manitobans are going to have, it is going to be a hot one!
This long weekend might not be as hot as this past week, but even in cloudy weather, the suns rays can still be harmful to your skin. The Canadian Cancer Society reccomends using a little SunSense to protect you and your family from getting too much sun.
What you can do
If you can, plan your outdoor activities before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m. when the sun is not at its strongest, or any time of the day when the UV Index is 3 or less.
Remember, if your shadow’s shorter than you, it’s time to find some shade or go inside. If you can’t find shade, create your own. Take along an umbrella – that way you can have shade wherever you need it.
Babies need extra protection because their skin is very sensitive. It’s best to keep babies out of direct sunlight. Use clothing that covers their arms and legs, add a hat and put on a little sunscreen. Put the stroller, playpen or carriage in the shade – under trees or an umbrella.
Cover up
One of the best ways to make sure you don’t burn is to cover up. Choose clothing that is:
loose fitting – like a t-shirt
tightly woven
lightweight
Where's my hat?
Don’t forget to grab your hat on your way out! Most skin cancers happen on the face and neck. These areas need extra protection.
Wear a hat with a wide brim that covers your head, face, ears and neck. Hats like baseball caps won’t give you enough protection.
Put sunscreen on your ears, chin and neck even when you’re wearing a hat.
Wear your sunglasses
Sunglasses can help prevent damage to your eyes by blocking a large amount of UV rays. Keep your shades on and make sure your children wear them too. Choose sunglasses with:
even shading
medium to dark lenses (grey, brown or green tint)
UVA and UVB protection
Sunscreen – Don't leave home without it!
Sunscreen can’t block all the sun’s rays. Use it along with shade, clothing and hats, not instead of them. Use sunscreen as a backup in your sun protection plan.
Your sunscreen should have a sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and if you work outdoors or are planning to be outside most of the day, use an SPF 30.
Look for “broad spectrum” on the label. This means that the sunscreen offers protection against both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays.
Apply your sunscreen generously and at least 20 minutes before going outside. Read the label and follow the instructions for reapplying. Don’t forget to cover your nose, ears and the tops of your feet. Use a waterproof sunscreen if you’re in or near water.
Keep thes tips in mind this long weekend and all summerlong, including all your Relay events. We hope the sun is out and shining next Friday for Winnipeg's 9th annual Relay For Life!
This long weekend might not be as hot as this past week, but even in cloudy weather, the suns rays can still be harmful to your skin. The Canadian Cancer Society reccomends using a little SunSense to protect you and your family from getting too much sun.
What you can do
If you can, plan your outdoor activities before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m. when the sun is not at its strongest, or any time of the day when the UV Index is 3 or less.
Remember, if your shadow’s shorter than you, it’s time to find some shade or go inside. If you can’t find shade, create your own. Take along an umbrella – that way you can have shade wherever you need it.
Babies need extra protection because their skin is very sensitive. It’s best to keep babies out of direct sunlight. Use clothing that covers their arms and legs, add a hat and put on a little sunscreen. Put the stroller, playpen or carriage in the shade – under trees or an umbrella.
Cover up
One of the best ways to make sure you don’t burn is to cover up. Choose clothing that is:
loose fitting – like a t-shirt
tightly woven
lightweight
Where's my hat?
Don’t forget to grab your hat on your way out! Most skin cancers happen on the face and neck. These areas need extra protection.
Wear a hat with a wide brim that covers your head, face, ears and neck. Hats like baseball caps won’t give you enough protection.
Put sunscreen on your ears, chin and neck even when you’re wearing a hat.
Wear your sunglasses
Sunglasses can help prevent damage to your eyes by blocking a large amount of UV rays. Keep your shades on and make sure your children wear them too. Choose sunglasses with:
even shading
medium to dark lenses (grey, brown or green tint)
UVA and UVB protection
Sunscreen – Don't leave home without it!
Sunscreen can’t block all the sun’s rays. Use it along with shade, clothing and hats, not instead of them. Use sunscreen as a backup in your sun protection plan.
Your sunscreen should have a sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and if you work outdoors or are planning to be outside most of the day, use an SPF 30.
Look for “broad spectrum” on the label. This means that the sunscreen offers protection against both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays.
Apply your sunscreen generously and at least 20 minutes before going outside. Read the label and follow the instructions for reapplying. Don’t forget to cover your nose, ears and the tops of your feet. Use a waterproof sunscreen if you’re in or near water.
Keep thes tips in mind this long weekend and all summerlong, including all your Relay events. We hope the sun is out and shining next Friday for Winnipeg's 9th annual Relay For Life!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
THE IMPACT OF $100
On average:
- One hundred dollars can be used to match one person newly diagnosed with cancer with someone who has survived the same disease in the Cancer Connection Program.
- One hundred dollars pays for four patients to be transported at no cost to medical appointments. This program is offered by the Canadian Cancer Society Volunteer Drivers and the Freemason Cancer Car Project.
- One hundred dollars pays for 50 Thingamaboob keychains to remind woman about breast health.
- One hundred dollars pays for one important chemical used in research experiments funded by the Canadian Cancer Society.
- One hundred dollars allows the Cancer Information Service to provide information to two clients.
- One hundred dollars buys 500 petri dishes and 144 microscope slides which are essential pieces of lab equipment for cancer research.
If $100 dollars can provide all that, imagine the difference your team is making with the $1000 you are encouraged to raise collectively.
Only ten days remain until Relay For Life. It is still possible to get pledges online and in cash. All it takes is 30 minutes the next ten days! Here's how:
- send 10 e-mails to friends you haven’t yet asked for a donation. From your Relay centre, you can send all 10 in under 10 minutes
- span your circle - send 10 e-mails to family members, neighbours and coworkers you have not yet asked . Again - it takes under 10 minutes
- send a follow-up e-mail to 10 people you’ve asked previously, but have yet to support you with a donation.
Good luck!
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