THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
After hitting obstacles last year, the South Slave is getting back into the Relay for Life.
Shari Olsen: Chair of the Fort Smith Relay for Life says there is an extremely dedicated group of volunteers working on the event. |
Organizers had to cancel last year's fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society in Hay River because of a shortage of volunteers. This summer Fort Smith is rallying for a successful return, set to take place June 13.
In 1996 Fort Smith hosted the South Slave's first relay, which began alternating yearly between Fort Smith and Hay River after that. This year will be Fort Smith's sixth time hosting.
Shari Olsen, chair of this year's Relay for Life in Fort Smith, said organizers began meeting in November and more than half of the organizing committee are new members.
She describes the numbers the relay pulls in as "phenomenal."
In its first year, the event raised $75,000 and that number has grown ever since. The Fort Smith relay team has consistently raised over $100,000 every year its hosted since 1996, making a total of $596,739.
This year Olsen's target is $150,000.
"We're aiming high," she said.
"If you don't aim high, you don't meet any goals."
Mayor Brad Brake said he is pleased, but not surprised, that the Relay for Life will be going ahead this year in Fort Smith.
"There was never any doubt that it would move forward for me," he said.
"We have an extremely dedicated group of volunteers who work specifically for the Relay for Life. So there was no doubt in my mind. It was unfortunate that Hay River couldn't rally enough volunteers for it last year, but Fort Smith is moving forward and I'm certainly hoping that it will continue."
While the money has the relay pulls in has grown, the actual number of teams who participate has been on the decline. In 2006, 27 teams joined but by 2013 that number had dropped to 14.
"We've had less teams in the last couple of years, but they've been more passionate about it, so it's sort of balanced itself out," said Olsen.
This year, she said organizers are hoping for 20 teams.
"So far we only have three teams registered," she said.
"But I know at least three more that I've spoken to just in the last week that are going to get going. It's early."
For the third time, organizers plan to host the Relay for Life at Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park.
"It's a fabulous location," said Olsen, pointing to the park's amenities that include picnic tables, a barbecue pit and running water.
In the past the relay has spanned a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. timeslot, but the Canadian Cancer Society is offering a different option this year.
Olsen said the Fort Smith organizing committee has opted for a noon-to-midnight relay, unless once the teams are registered they want to go 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
"Who knows?" said Olsen.
"Noon to midnight might find us new people to become involved. It might be easier for people."
She couldn't speculate whether Hay River would host a relay next year, but she did say she hopes teams from the community make the trip to Fort Smith this summer.
"We have had teams from Hay River come over before," said Olsen.
The event - held in numerous locations across Canada - is the main fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society with the money raised going to research, advocacy, patient support and more.
