Gail Davis says she’s held many roles with Relay for Life in Sarnia.
Gail Davis says she’s held many roles with Relay for Life in Sarnia.
The former Port Lambton resident now living in Strathroy said she’s headed the organizing committee, captained teams and helped take care of the tent for survivors at various points in the walk-a-thon’s two-decade history of raising money for the Sarnia-Lambton branch of the Canadian Cancer Society.
Relay’s return to an in-person event on June 11 – after two years of virtual versions amid COVID-19 – will mark her first time as its Face of Hope, she said.
“I was very honored when they asked me,” said Davis, who’s been involved ever since her daughter Lisa participated as a cancer survivor in 2003.
Friends and family formed Lisa’s Angels the following year after Lisa Davis’ death from breast cancer.
It’s been “a true blessing” participating in the six-hour event – changed from 12 hours in 2015 – that honors survivors and remembers those who have died, Gail Davis said.
“Being there and seeing the survivors and seeing the families and being able to share stories (about) why we’re there and the hope that we have” has been comforting, said Davis, also a cancer survivor who had reconstructive surgery on her face in 2020 while having skin cancer removed.
“Completely cured,” she said about how she’s doing now, and encouraged people to get checked out if anything is amiss.
For her, she said, it was a pimple on her nose that wouldn’t go away that led to her diagnosis.
“Don’t just think it’s something small,” she said.
The cancer research-funding branch’s 2019 walk at Clearwater Community Center Park raised $155,000 with 370 participants, said community engagement director Tara Palominos.
Virtual events over the past two years collectively raised about three-quarters of that sum, though fundraising went well, she said.
“We actually exceeded (2021’s) target,”
Heading back to in person at a new location – Valley Ax this year, as the date for Relay was moved up from Father’s Day weekend for national advertising purposes, and there was a conflict at Clearwater – the goal is $105,000 and 300 participants, Palominos said .
“We are really excited to be back in person,” she said.
Survivors kick off the first lap – now called the participants of hope lap – around 6 pm There’s a luminary lighting ceremony at 10 pm while themed laps, like decades of Disney and pajama evolution, happen throughout the evening. The overarching them for the event is time travel.
“Throwback activities” like musical chairs and a scavenger hut are planned, and the band Twist of Fate is scheduled to play. Davis people encouraged to visit relayforlife.ca if they want to donate, participate or volunteer.
She said she hopes the event brings awareness and encourages people to screen for cancer.
“The emotional part of it, of being together and the overall feeling and the impact, is so much,” she said, also calling it a fun time to gather.
“A family-friendly event of everyone being together for the sole purpose of celebration and supporting each other.”