Friday's Relay for Life resonates with people and businesses by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Thursday, June 19, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Cancer doesn't sleep, so neither should we," is the tagline for Relay for Life. It's a mentality that is shared by Longo's, which has been supporting the 12-hour relay fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) since its very beginnings in Oakville, says Gay Longo, whose husband Anthony is president and CEO of Longo's. Gay , 50, is an 18-year cancer survivor -- she was diagnosed with an aggressive Stage 2 breast cancer at age 31 and treated with a mastectomy and node removal and then a trial study of chemotherapy treatment for seven months, followed by an aggressive 42-day trial study of radiation -- research Gay says was available thanks to the CCS. "This horrible disease has touched so many individuals and families that we all know too well. Relay for Life connects us to our communities and all the people we've had the privilege in getting to know within them over the 58 years at Longo's. They truly become part of our Longo family in a way," said the mother of three. Gay said her family and Longo's got involved in Relay for Life because it fit with the company's non-profit arm's goal of supporting children, women and families. It has had a team in every Relay since the event began and continues to register teams in Oakville and across the GTA. Longo's is also a corporate food sponsor of the event. "Cancer is a terrible disease that touches so many lives and affects so many families. It sees no nity together to celebrate life and fight cancer. Teams of 10-15 people fundraise, individually and as a team, and gather at a local track, stadium or sports field to take turns walking laps all night in support of the CCS. But it's more than a fundraiser for cancer research -- it symbolizes and honours a patient's journey, Shelley Frank, CCS' Halton unit fundraising co-ordinator, tells the Oakville Beaver. "As difficult as it is for anybody to stay up overnight, it's so insignificant when you compare it to what someone has gone through on a cancer journey," she said. Gay says Longo's continues to support Relay for Life, because it feels it's important to do so. "Over the years, we continue to participate as a corporate sponsor in Relay for Life and the many other cancer events within the GTA with our Power of Together crew of Longo's volunteer team and family members to show the importance of giving back within the communities in which we live and work in and are supported by," she said. Tim Hortons has also been and continues to be a supporter of the Oakville Relay for Life through donations made by local restaurant owners. For more information or to register, visit www. relayforlife.ca. INJURED? I Can Help! Gay Longo | submitted photo age, gender, colour, race or religion. The Longo's team and family is one of many in the world trying to one day help find a cure and end cancer," Gay said. This year's Oakville event will take place tomorrow (Friday) from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish grounds, 1039 Dundas St. W. The signature event is hosted by more than 20 countries worldwide, including more than 500 communities across Canada. It is meant to be an inspirational, non-competitive, 12-hour overnight fundraising event that brings the commuFood Basics, Metro, Listen Up Canada, Holland Park Garden, 3-for-1 Glasses, M&M Meats, Home Hardware, Barbecues Galore, Lastman's Bad Boy, Sure Loc, Hoopers Pharmacy, Rooms Furniture and Access, Real Estate, Queen's Pharmacy, Corbeil, Henry's Cameras, Real Canadian Superstore, Oakville Ribfest, Visitors' Guide, No Frills, Lowes Canada, Cornwall Animal Hospital, Chudleigh's Apple, Starsky Fine Foods, 2001 Audio Video, Marineland, Hudson's Bay Co., Smart Source, Ren's Feed & Supply, Michael-Angelo's, Fortinos, Michael's, The Source, XS Cargo, Shoppers Drug Mart, Toys R Us, Home Depot, Solutions, Future Shop, Sears, Walmart, Target, Pharma Plus, Rexall, Reliance, PartSource, Bass Pro Shops, Best Buy, Drug Trading, Mrs. Green's, Pharmasave, East Side Mario's, Staples, Canadian Tire, Centennial Windows, Staples, Sobeys, Freshco, Dulux Paint YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY UNLESS I GET YOU MONEY My team of experienced lawyers can help you with: · Car accidents · Slip and Falls · Disability Claims (Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, CPP) · Wrongful Dismissal OFFICES IN OAKVILLE AND TORONTO For a free consultation call: Oakville: 905.842.2022 or Toronto: 416.351.9222 email: sspadafora@slspc.ca inside today's Spotlight Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 30 Health Classified 28 36 For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes Sam Spadafora Injury and Employment Law NEW! 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