It's that time of year again when locals not already signed up to a Relay For Life team notice a ramping up of fundraising activities for the annual Canadian Cancer Society event.
Starting in March, Relay For Life culminates in an inspiring 12-hour walk around the Brennan Park field on June 4 where hundreds of local gather to support the fight against cancer with tens of thousands of dollars in donations toward the Canadian Cancer Society.
For many team members, the event is a personal one that allows them to honour the loved ones who have succumbed to cancer by lighting a candle in their memory during the luminary ceremony.
Pura Vida is one team whose members have each been touched by cancer. Team captain, Brenda Chelswick said she decided to form a team six yeas ago after watching her mother-in-law go through cancer treatment the previous year.
"We decided that it was something important for our family and friends to be involved in, because it hits so close to home," said Chelswick.
Team Pura Vida enlisted the help of Pepe and Gringo's restaurant in the Garibaldi Highlands for their "changing the world" fundraiser. Locals are encouraged to bring loose or rolled change to the restaurant Wednesday (May 5) between 5:30 and 9 p.m.
Both Pura Vida and participating patrons get a bonus for the generosity as kids eat for free and adults get 10 per cent of the cost of their meals donated to the team's cause.
The youngest team members are getting more involved each year, and this year are planning their own fundraiser - a lemonade and bake sale on Saturday, May 8 in conjunction with a fundraiser garage sale at 2550 Jura Crescent, in the Garibaldi Highlands.
"The kids now understand the seriousness of this disease, and also that there is something that they can do about it," said Chelswick.
Last year's most successful fundraising team Brackendale Babes, who hauled in $10,000, are putting a call out to the community to join them in a fun way to raise funds.
The Tuesday, May 18 Town Tapas Tour event is a social, cruiser-style ride from downtown 撸奶社区to Brackendale, stopping along the way at select eateries to enjoy a couple of tapas tasters and a chance to whet whistles with the Watershed Grill signing on to sponsor the group's final stop.
Since the Babes never go out without their hot pink boas, all tour participants are encouraged to bring theirs too, along with their mandatory helmets.
Tickets are $20 each and available in advance only from any of the Brackendale Babes. All event inquiries, including ticket availability, can be directed to Gillian Bexton at 604 815-8689 or [email protected].
