by Sylene Argent
It has been 15-years since a Relay for Life event has been held at Essex District High School, and current students and staff members thought it was time this event should be rebooted. So, on Friday afternoon, the local secondary school’s staff and students hosted a Relay for Life fundraiser out on the track to show support to those battling the disease.
Abby Morris, a grade 11 student at EDHS, stepped up to help organize the event and take on the roll of Chairperson of the event’s organizing committee.
She said it was decided at the school the EDHS Relay for Life event was due to make a come-back, and she was thrilled with the outcome. The students and staff at the high school formed 27 teams, which fundraised for the cause. At least one member of those teams walked the track throughout the eight-hour event in a show of support for their friends and loved-ones who have or are battling various types of cancer.
Those who participated were able to buy lunch onsite and participate in an array of fun games setup throughout the football field, including challenging obstacle courses, paint twister, egg races, and karaoke. A DJ kept the tune rolling, inspiring those on the track to keep pace.
Morris has participated in the Essex County Relay for Life event for six years, so it was no surprise the high school event offered the same upbeat and supportive atmosphere as the regional event offers its participants.
For Morris, it was really important to reintroduce the Relay for Life event at the high school to show support to teachers and students battling the disease.
Though a fundraising goal was not set, Morris was hopeful a decent sum would be raised to show support to those battling cancer. Relay for Life events benefit the Canadian Caner Society.
“It is a fun day. It shows the students how to come together and make a difference,” she said. “I’m so happy with how it turned out. It is so amazing how the school came together.
One of the fundraisers held at the school that will contribute to this event’s fundraising efforts was the sale of specially made t-shirts showing support for the cause.
This year’s Essex County Relay for Life event is slated to take place on Friday, June 7, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at Colasanti’s, in Ruthven.