PERSISTENT rain and cold temperatures during the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life May 13 at George Little Park didn’t affect the event’s success.
“Relay went well, despite the rain,” said Erica Magnuson-Ford, annual giving coordinator for the northwest region of the Canadian Cancer Society, B.C. and Yukon Division.
“It started getting a bit quieter near the end but people did definitely come out and walk the track and be part of it.”
This year, the event moved back from the Skeena Middle School track to George Little Park where it began many years ago, giving it a more central location.
It was also the second year for the change in time from the 12-hour event from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. to a six-hour day from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Another change was with the luminaries, which were done in a large circle in the middle of George Little Park. At Skeena Middle School the luminaries were placed around the track.
“It was a gorgeous, neat way of doing the luminaries,” said Magnuson-Ford of the park arrangement.
As of May 17, the total amount of money raised was just over $56,000 but two raffles were still to have their proceeds added in and Magnuson-Ford had a few donations on her desk that needed to be included.
She said she believed the goal was $60,000 and that amount could hopefully still be reached.
It’s lower than in previous years but she was OK with it.
“There’s a lot contributing to that. The economy right now is really stagnant so it is to be expected. I’m really pleased with that amount,” she said.
People said having relay in the park was a “cool location” and it made the event more visible to passersby, some of whom stopped by to make a donation, said Magnuson-Ford.
