Relay For Life 2013 Kick Off In Parham

Julie Druker | Mar 06, 2013

Of the close to 60 guests who attended the official Kick Off for the North and Central Frontenac 2013 Relay For Life on March 2, none seemed more excited than Lesley Merrigan.

Merrigan, who is chairing the event for her second consecutive year, was thrilled with the turn out. “This year is really exciting. We've hit bench marks that we've never hit before and are definitely coming out the gates this year flying “ she said at the event, which was held at the Parham I.O.O.F. hall.

Visitors had a chance to purchase a number of official Relay For Life items, which included sweatshirts, jackets, mugs, and luminaries (the paper bag lanterns honoring those who have succumbed to or survived the disease, which will light the track at the Parham fairgrounds on the evening of the event).

Local musicians Jim MacPherson, Pete MacPherson and Jordan Lowery entertained visitors, who danced and sang along to their tunes. By noon over 13 teams had already signed up to participate this year and by the end of the kickoff, 20 teams had signed up.

“That is great because the earlier teams sign up the more money they can raise,” Merrigan said. “We have a team that has already raised over $1,500.” Merrigan and her team of organizers are way ahead of the game this year and all of the entertainment is already booked.

The Relay for Life will take place on June 21 starting at 7pm at the Parham fairgrounds, and Merrigan offered up a few hints as to who might performing. “You might be seeing Shawn McCullough and Jim MacPherson and his band but I have left the decisions solely up to the entertainment committee, which is brand new this year. They all are experienced musicians whose decisions I totally support.”

Merrigan’s goal for this year is to have 30 teams participating and she is confident that if things keep going they way they are, they will reach and likely exceed that goal. Last year the North and Central Frontenac Relay raised over $60,000 and Merrigan said that they are hoping to up that total to $70,000. Asked what keeps her so enthusiastic about the event year after year, Merrigan said, “This community always amazes me. Every year I ask myself, 'How can I expect this community to pull this off again?' But every year everyone comes back to the plate ready to give, which is very motivating and very humbling and is what drives me. I have also seen what cancer does to families and individuals in the local community and I feel that this is the least that I can do.” She is hoping to see more survivors sign up as well. “Survivors drive this event and they are the reason that we do it. We do this to celebrate their battle and to show them that there is a community behind them, supporting them.”

Of the close to 60 guests who attended the official Kick Off for the North and Central Frontenac 2013 Relay For Life on March 2, none seemed more excited than Lesley Merrigan.

Merrigan, who is chairing the event for her second consecutive year, was thrilled with the turn out. “This year is really exciting. We've hit bench marks that we've never hit before and are definitely coming out the gates this year flying “ she said at the event, which was held at the Parham I.O.O.F. hall.

Visitors had a chance to purchase a number of official Relay For Life items, which included sweatshirts, jackets, mugs, and luminaries (the paper bag lanterns honoring those who have succumbed to or survived the disease, which will light the track at the Parham fairgrounds on the evening of the event).

Local musicians Jim MacPherson, Pete MacPherson and Jordan Lowery entertained visitors, who danced and sang along to their tunes. By noon over 13 teams had already signed up to participate this year and by the end of the kickoff, 20 teams had signed up.

“That is great because the earlier teams sign up the more money they can raise,” Merrigan said. “We have a team that has already raised over $1,500.” Merrigan and her team of organizers are way ahead of the game this year and all of the entertainment is already booked.

The Relay for Life will take place on June 21 starting at 7pm at the Parham fairgrounds, and Merrigan offered up a few hints as to who might performing. “You might be seeing Shawn McCullough and Jim MacPherson and his band but I have left the decisions solely up to the entertainment committee, which is brand new this year. They all are experienced musicians whose decisions I totally support.”

Merrigan’s goal for this year is to have 30 teams participating and she is confident that if things keep going they way they are, they will reach and likely exceed that goal. Last year the North and Central Frontenac Relay raised over $60,000 and Merrigan said that they are hoping to up that total to $70,000. Asked what keeps her so enthusiastic about the event year after year, Merrigan said, “This community always amazes me. Every year I ask myself, 'How can I expect this community to pull this off again?' But every year everyone comes back to the plate ready to give, which is very motivating and very humbling and is what drives me. I have also seen what cancer does to families and individuals in the local community and I feel that this is the least that I can do.” She is hoping to see more survivors sign up as well. “Survivors drive this event and they are the reason that we do it. We do this to celebrate their battle and to show them that there is a community behind them, supporting them.”

For more information about the relay, to join a team, to sign up a new team or to make an on-line donation, go to www.convio.cancer.ca and visit the North and Central Relay team there. Merrigan thanked this year’s sponsors - the Oddfellows and Rebekahs, W.A. Robinson and the North Frontenac Telephone Company.