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12 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 6, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Community rallies behind Relay for Life Continued from page 11 in April. Sayers knew her grandchildren -- Laura a university student, Amy a Toronto police officer and Jennifer, an Oakville high school student -- were taking part in the relay and their team grew into three teams with 30 participants. "I'm a volunteer nerd. Whenever something happens, this is my way to fix it, though there's not much you can do to fix it," said Laura, already a Cancer Society volunteer, who organized the Happy Feet participation and raised more than $10,000. A stroll further along Tent City found the camp of Team Alex -- a new entry that raised big funds in the 2007 relay. Team Alex was assembled not long ago in honour of 10year-old Oakvillian Alex Pace. The Grade 4 student at St. Dominic School was diagnosed in March with bone cancer. "He's just finished his third round of chemotherapy," said team captain Janet Reesor. "He's an inspiration to everybody," said Reesor. The son of Len and Frances Pace, Alex has a younger brother, Ben, eight, and older sister, Madeline, 12. "I'm just overwhelmed by how something as tough as this brings out the best in people. I know the Paces have really been blown away, as we have by their strength," said Reesor. "We wanted to do what we could to show our love and support for the family," said Reesor. Clad in blue and white cycling-style jerseys, the team Mackenzie Lowe shirts read Team Alex and took their theme from Lance Armstrong's fundraising efforts with the slogan, Life is Good. United Wa Member Agency Letters on each jersey spelled the letters of the Pace family members, while an HYK stood for Hug Your Kids. Alex is a local hockey player in the Oakville Red Division whose team recently dedicated a win to him, said Reesor. "It's amazing a 10-year-old boy has touched so many people," said Reesor noting her children were on the relay team. "It teaches them so much about friendship and support, not just when you're having a good time, but when there are tough times, too. Out of difficulty often comes amazing learning that shows the true strength of friendship and family," said Reesor. A block away in Tent City, two-time leukemia survivor Shayna McDonald was a spokesperson for the Canadian Cancer Society, Oakville Unit. At age 11, Shayna is threeyears post bone marrow transplant and doing well. "We just have so much fun doing this and it's good to give back to the community that took care of us," said Shayna's mom Sandy McDonald. For The Shaynanigans team it's a reunion of the same people who supported Shayna and her Alex Pace family -- the caregivers honoured this year -- who brought meals, took over chores and loaned support. "Shayna looks forward to this event, it's part of her healing journey," said Sandy. The family holds a huge garage sale to fundraise. Shayna's school, Ecole Pine Grove, had a fundraiser and even had a team of staff participate this year in the relay and the Pinegrove jugglers also performed. The Shaynanigans picked up best tent site award for the second year. While last year they were housed in a working volcano, this year it was Shayna's Rainbow of Hope. "The Pot of Gold is our cure for cancer," said her mom.