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Belford proud to walk victory lap at Relay for Life by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Friday, June 10, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Laura Belford will be reflecting on her cancer journey June 17 as she joins other survivors in the victory lap at the Canadian Cancer Society's (CCS) Oakville Relay for Life. The annual signature event, hosted by CCS' Halton Unit, will take place at Coronation Park and invites teams of 10-15 people to gather at the lakeside park at 1426 Lakeshore Rd. W. to take turns walking laps on a track into the night while raising funds, individually and as a team, for cancer research. It will no longer be overnight, running between 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Belford, who has been participating over the last four years, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in January 2012 at the age of 16. The stage-four cancer diagnosis was a blow to Belford and her family. "When you hear about people getting cancer, you don't expect it to happen to you, so it was kind of a challenging time," said Belford, who was in Grade 11 at T.A. Blakelock High School at the time. Now, at 21, Belford, who just completed her second year at Queen's University in the Concurrent (Teacher) Education program, said she had to put her life on hold to have multiple surgeries, and both chemotherapy Oakville's Laura Belford (centre) is taking part in this year's Relay for Life in Oakville, which takes place at Coronation Park on June 17 between 7 p.m.-1 a.m. This will mark the fifth time she is participating in the annual signature event. Here, during last year's event held at Saints Peter and Paul Parish are, from left, Elke Djurfeldt, Belford and Kelsy DeMelo. | submitted photo and radiation treatment. "It was devastating," said her mother, Christine, noting she noticed her daughter's health deteriorating, but initially thought it was because she was worn out from keep- ing a busy schedule. "... within a blink of an eye, your life changes. She was tired, she was losing some weight. I thought maybe she had mono (mononucleosis)... she was busy, a straight-A student at school, a competitive dancer, had a part-time job, you know, go-gogo. You just think, oh, she's tired." But things didn't improve by Christmas holidays and Belford was taken to see a doctor. The next several months were filled with appointments, surgeries and treatment. "Until you're in it, you don't know what it's about," said Christine, noting there were some pretty "dark days" for Belford. "Stage four is a very bad diagnosis... it can seem very hopeless, but it isn't. It doesn't have to be." Belford said what got her through the challenging times was the constant support she received from her friends and family. "That was really helpful for me, support from people who understand and who try to be there for you," she said. Her mother said Belford was incredibly strong throughout the ordeal, always calm and level-headed. "I think she's a great role model," Christine said, adding she's proud of her daughter for taking part in Relay for Life. "I think people need to see the success stories to see that you can get through this and come out the other side and your life goes on," she said. "She's at university, she's doing great in school. I think it's really important for her and I'm sure it gives people hope, especially young people." see Relay on p.8 A STEP BEYOND IN CARE Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist · Foot/Arch Pain? · Ingrown Toenails? · Diabetes? · Swollen Ankles? · Corns, Calluses? Do you have: Call for an appointment 905-632-1414 728 Burloak Drive www.footandhealthclinic.com welcome colour. wArm weATher meAns iT's Time To BrighTen Things up. experience fine, europeAn mensweAr collecTions, experT AlTerATions, And professionAl Advice, righT in The heArT of oAkville's heriTAge core. drop By TodAy To see The new colours for spring. spring AT Burrows. 905.842.0232 burrowsclothiers.com 200 lakeshore road e, oakville giorgio armani . brunello cucinelli . hugo boss . belstaff . etro . boglioli