THIS YEAR’S Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life has raised more than $192,500 so far, eclipsing last year’s $190,871 with about six weeks left before the books are closed off.
The increase is despite this year’s relay having fewer registered participants and fewer teams than last year as well as a decrease in corporate donations from last year, says local cancer society official Helen Owen.
“Our community is so supportive and generous,” said Owen. “Our participants and donors are just outstanding.”
There were 525 registered participants this year compared to 625 last year and 51 teams this year compared to 55 last year.
There isn’t any one reason why the numbers dropped, but Owen did say not everyone who participated had to register.
“I would say hundreds of people came out to walk the track who did not register. And everyone is welcome to come out and walk. What we do ask is that if you do register, you try to raise $100 each. Some people could have come out and made a donation to whatever team they were in contact with,” said Owen.
Corporate donatio ns dipped $4,000 from last year to this year.
This is the fifth year the relay has been held at the Skeena Junior Secondary School track, a venue that Owen described as perfect for the event. Access to washrooms and other amenities made available by the school, space for a stage and space for tents and displays.