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Cancer Society’s Relay for Life returns to Port Perry in 2014 After an eight year absence from Port Perry, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life returns this September to the Port Perry Fairgrounds. One of the most important fundraising and commu- nity events of the year, the Relay for Life is an inspira- tional, non-competitive, 12-hour overnight relay with a festival-like atmosphere. Teams of 10 or more people raise funds individually and as a team — sharing the experience with family, friends, and co-workers. This year, a new committee has been formed in Port Perry, comprised of local residents all of whom have been touched by cancer in some way. Three of the committee members share their story of why they fight back against cancer, and have chosen the Relay for Life as their event to support: Helen, Wendy, and Lynnsey Mitchell heartbreak- ingly lost their son and brother, Allan John Mitchell early in 2013. Allan passed away, at the age of 42 —just 12 days after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. There was no time to process, to prepare, to fight or to even say goodbye. To say that they were and still are devastated and shattered, is an understatement. The Mitchells had participated in the Relay for Life in the past for many years and had decided when Allan was diagnosed that they would return and fight again. They had thought at that time that they would be fight- ing to find a cure for Allan. Now, Allan’s family and friends are fighting, in his memory, to make sure no one else loses a loved one. eo | Helen Mitchell, Lynnsey Griffiths (nee Mitchell), Wendy Mitchell and Allan John Mitchell. A volunteers the last “Relay For Life” held in Port Perry, bends over to light one of the hundreds of luminaires which were placed around the track in memory of loved ones who have survived or died of cancer. File photo by J. Peter Hvidsten As they all still deal with their grief and loss and figure out how to live the rest of their lives without Allan they honour his memory by taking part in this fabulous event that raises money for cancer research. There is no better way to let Allan know how much they miss and love him than by doing their small part to hopefully rid the world of this dreadful, despicable disease. Why they relay is easy to answer. They relay for all the family members and friends they have lost to this terrible disease over the years and to recently, this past year and a half. They relay so that one day a cure for all cancers will be found. They relay so that no families and friends will ever have to feel the pain and the loss that they are feel- ing every day. They relay to make people aware that we haven't beaten this monster... YET... but we will, we will beat it. They relay in solidarity with those still battling this disease, and for all those who no longer can, those who have lost the battle. They relay because they can... because they have to. This year’s Relay for Life will take place at the Port Perry Fairgrounds on September 5th and 6th. For more information on entering your team into the 2014 Port Perry Relay for Life or sponsorship opportunities visit wwwvelayforlife.ca/northdurham or contact pprelayfor- life@gmail.com. By Jay Fisher Special to Focus on Scugog FOCUS - JULY 2014 79