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
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