Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Friday, March 9, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - She sat in her chair and ate her cheese slices and sipped her juice, watching people.

Shannon Mercer wasn't aware that everyone gathered on the top floor of the Ski Club was there for her.

Shannon's parents, Tim Mercer and Debbie Meade, decided to hold the Nevus Ski Relay as a fundraiser for support and treatment for people, like their daughter, born with the rare skin condition.

"The money's not going to us," said Tim Mercer. "It's going to the Nevus Outreach organization, and half is going to Stanton Territorial Hospital."

Mercer and Meade said they hope the ski relay will become an annual event, and plan to change the local organization that receives donations every year.

This year it was Stanton.

"Both of our children were born at Stanton, and Shannon will be receiving some of her care there," Mercer said.

Despite the cold weather last Saturday, 44 people registered for the relay.

"Everyone that's been registered actually showed up," Mercer said, adding he was glad to see the skiers' dedication.

He said another reason for inviting people to the event was because he and his family wanted people to meet Shannon.

"This is the community that Shannon will be growing up in and we don't want people to be afraid to ask us about what she's facing," Mercer said.

Michele Culhane took a turn on her skis outside.

"My kids are similar ages to Tim and Debbie's and we wanted to support them," she said.

Thankfully the event wasn't competitive, as Culhane said the cold made speed difficult.

"That's just normal," she said. "It only would have been tough if we'd wanted to go faster."

"I didn't go too fast with this cold, there's not a lot of glide," Steve Schwarz said.

"I've only met (Tim and Debbie) once before, but having two kids, two very healthy kids, you realize how fortunate you are," Schwarz said.

"I think it's important that people know what it is," said Sherry Lovely. "Especially with the kids going to school eventually."

Lovely's husband Olin decided to make the relay his second time skiing.

"I think that it's great that everyone pitched in to help," he said. While parents skied, children and volunteers stayed inside the ski club.

Michelle Currimbhoy said her daughter is one of Shannon's friends, and said introducing other children to Shannon was great.

"They're going to see Shannon around, she's part of the community," she said.