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22 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 27, 2008 The first ever Relay for Life at Holy Trinity Catholic High School raised more than $38,000 in the fight against cancer. That was good news to its student organizers, Grade 12 students Kaela Campbell and Jennifer McGuire, who decided to tackle the event early in their graduating year in memory of their grandparents -- both of whom died with cancer. The Catholic high school saw more than 450 students, along with teachers and family members, participate and raised more than $38,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society, Oakville Unit. Teachers Clark McDougall and Teresa Castellarin assisted in organizing the day-long event, which included an outdoor barbecue pit, live bands and dance. Even hypnotist Rene Olsen entertained. Students, in teams of 10 students per team, walked around the school track for 12 hours. The rules were that at least one team member had to be on the track at all times. The event took place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the school and was open to students, staff and family, and donations were accepted by the general public. The relay took place on the Sixth Line high school's playing field. At dusk, participants completed a symbolic Victory Lap as luminaries lined the track, each luminary a trib- Holy Trinity's first relay a team effort www.oakvillebeaver.com PHOTOS BY CHRIS KORNACKI / OAKVILLE BEAVER NEW TRADITION: Above left, Connor Lippay (left) and Ethan Danieli, Grade 9 students at Holy Trinity Catholic High School take part in the Sixth Line high school's first ever Relay for Life event. Above, right, from left, Grade 9 students Elissa Christie, Sarah Tani and Pauline Moskal jog on the track during the event which, was organized by Grade 12 students Kaela Campbell and Jennifer McGuire and raised more than $38,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. ute to a cancer survivor or victim. On average, 3,075 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer and 1,398 Canadians will die of cancer every week. That adds up to 159,900 diagnoses and 72,696 deaths in Canada alone, every single year. The event honoured loved ones lost to cancer and those still fighting their battle. It was fashioned after the Canadian Cancer Society's signature fundraiser, the Relay For Life, an overnight non-competitive relay that raises funds for the Canadian Cancer Society's research, information services and support programs. The event involves teams of 10 people who take turns walking, running or strolling around a track. Teams consist of students, staff, neighbourhoods, families and friends. They camp out on the grounds of the track, enjoying entertainment and camaraderie. The first lap of Relay For Life is dedicated to cancer survivors, who are invited to walk the Survivors' Victory Lap. Later in the night a Luminary Ceremony takes place where candles are placed around the track and lit at dusk to commemorate survivors and those who have lost their lives to cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to improve the quality of life of people living with cancer. For more information, visit www.cancer.ca.