Hope Looms large at 2014 Relay for Life

Jun 26, 2014

If one had to pinpoint one singular theme at the 2014 North and Central Frontenac Relay for Life, which took place at the Parham fairgrounds on June 20, it would have to be hope. Relay chair Lesley Merrigan highlighted that idea after the Friday night opening ceremony, saying, “This community really needs to feel a sense of hope at this time; there have been so many close to home cancer diagnoses in this community recently that hope is really what we need now.”

It was with hope in mind that Merrigan invited cancer survivor Tammy Horvath to speak at the opening ceremony about her own personal battle with cancer. “I invited Tammy to speak because nobody gives hope like she does”, Merrigan said.

Tammy was diagnosed in 2004 at the age of 34 with a stage four uterine sarcoma and doctors gave her just two weeks to live. She was then a young wife and mother of two, and she told the doctors to do “whatever they could”. After undergoing an aggressive new treatment, she much more than beat the odds and now, 10 years later, she is happy to tell her emotional story to others, especially to those who have been recently diagnosed.

“Cancer is a roller coaster ride with many highs and lows and you really need a boat load of determination to get through it,” Horvath said in addressing this year’s Relay participants. She spoke of the term “survivorship” saying, “People become survivors the very day they are diagnosed.” She also spoke of how the funds raised from Relay are so important. “I would not be here if it were not for the research dollars made possible through the Relay for Life.”

Heather Gray, director of the Canadian Cancer Society in Eastern Ontario, also spoke at the opening ceremony, citing how the Relay for Life especially helps rural communities by securing funds for transportation services that enable those diagnosed to travel to larger centers for treatment. She spoke about the CCS's peer support program and their cancer information service, both of which can be accessed by rural residents by phone. She also spoke of the importance of cancer research. “If you happen to be standing beside someone who was diagnosed with cancer, the fact that they are still with us today is because of research. We have gone from a 25% survival rate in the 1940s to a 63% survival rate today and for children, the survival rate is even greater, where youngsters now have an 81% survival rate.” Gray said the goal of Relay is to continue to increase those percentages.

Cancer survivor Marcel Giroux also spoke, highlighting how the Parham relay event, which began in 2006, not only helps by providing funds for important research and services but how it also brings the community together. “This event represents how we started together in fear and eight years later we have ended in glory,” Giroux said.

After the speeches the survivors’ walk began, with close to 50 local cancer survivors lapping the track while troubadour Shawn McCullough’s original tune “Fight”, which was inspired by his father’s battle with cancer, was played. McCullough penned the song especially for the Relay and copies of it were available for sale with all proceeds going to the cause.

Following the lap the survivors gathered at the main stage where they released colored balloons into the air.

Each team was then introduced and invited to walk the track, beginning their 12-hour long journey, which represents the personal journey faced by every individual battling a cancer diagnosis.

Emcees Jim MacPherson and Lindsay Fox manned the mikes for the entire event, which included a wealth of musical entertainment and numerous games, contests and activities until the following morning when the sun came up. By the end of the event participants had raised over $45,000 (and still counting) for the cause, demonstrating that this small rural community is doing more than its fair share of bringing hope to those battling a cancer diagnosis.

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2047- Team Hannah at the 2014 Relay for Life event in Parham

2016-Cancer survivor Tammy Horvath inspired hope with her personal story at the 2014 North and Central Frontenac Relay for Life event in Parham on June 20