HealthRelay for Life to mark its 10th anniversaryBy Jessica Etiennecer. Breast cancer is one of the is fundraised to help support theseSPECIAL TO THE BEAVER most frequently diagnosed cancers applications.in Canadian women and research-Although there still may be nohe annual Relay For Lifeers are currently working on ways cure for all cancers today, contin-event in Oakville is gettingto better prevent and treat the dis-ued research is making greatTready to celebrate its 10thease. The breast cancer death rate strides towards finding them.anniversary.has declined by more than 30 per Wilsons father was told there wasFundraising is well underwaycent since 1986.no cure for his cancer today. Theand participating teams are readyProstate cancer is the third key word in all of that is 'today,'"to make this one of the most suc-most common cause of death for Wilson said. cessful Relays yet. men with cancer in Canada. Every day we are closer, everyCraig Wilson and his team Research projects are looking to dollar we are that much closer. Fight Live Conquer (FLC) is theimprove brachytherapy; a treat-Each team participating intop fundraising team in Oakvillement for prostate cancer patients Relay For Life is required to raise aand has now surpassed its incredi-using radioactive seeds placed minimum of $1,000. Looking atble $17,500 team goal.directly in the tumour.the success of the Fight LiveThis past November, WilsonsCurrent funding also supports Conquer Relay team, people canfather, Andrew, was diagnosed withinformational anti-smoking pro-see that so much more is possible.cancer and lost his battle shortlygrams targeted towards youth and In just a few short months FLCafter in March.studies focused on nicotine depen-has raised nearly half the onlineWhen asked why he participatesdence in teenagers. total to date in Oakville. in Relay, Wilson said, Quite sim-Smoking is the major cause of The results thus far have blownply, it is so hopefully you wontlung cancer in Canadian men and me away, said Wilson, the sup-have to. I am doing this so youwomen and second-hand smoking port I have received for this haswont have to learn about whatalone kills more than 1,000 been overwhelming and hasradiation is, what chemo is. I amCanadians each year. touched me a great deal.doing this so your family will notToday, approximately one out of Since its first year in 2001,have to wake up wondering if todayevery four Canadians will die from Relay For Life Oakville has raisedwill be the day we have a cure.cancer, but with continued more than $3.5 million. The goalMore than 90 per cent of moneyresearch, more information and for this year is $450,000 and theraised at Relay For Life helps fundinsight into this disease will be Canadian Cancer Society is stillCanadian cancer research projectsgained. looking for teams.that find better ways to detect, diag-With more research, cancer will To sign up a team or learn morenose and treat all types of cancers. be detected earlier and will hope-about the Relay For Life event, Thanks to research funded infully one day be totally prevent-visit www.relayforlife.ca/Oakville part by the Canadian Cancerable.The Canadian Cancer SocietySociety, the treatment of cancerResearch however is not possi-Oakville Relay For Life will takeand the quality of life during treat-ble without SUBMITTED PHOTOfinancing. Every year place on Friday, June 3 from 7 p.m.ment has dramatically improved inapproximately 80 per cent of to 7 a.m. at Appleby College.the last 20 years.research applications go unfunded MAKING A DIFFERENCE: The late Andrew Wilson with his son Craig Jessica Etienne is a volun-In their lifetime, 39 per cent of because of the lack of funds. Wilson who, with his team, Fight Live Conquer (FLC) is the top fundraising team teer with the Canadian CancerCanadian women will develop can-With every Relay For Life, more in Oakville's Relay for Life Cancer Society fundraiser set for June 3.Societywww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, April 21, 2011 22