Ladies Who Fight is one of the top fundraising teams that will be at Saturday’s Relay For Life.
But who are they? What is their story? And how did they manage to raise four times as much money as they planned?
Ladies Who Fight is a mix of cancer survivors, fighters and supporters.
The team of 15 includes eight cancer survivors (seven breast cancer, one melanoma).
“We are all at different stages of our journeys but we have one thing in common: our hope is that one day no one will have to hear the words, ‘You have cancer’,” said team member Cassandra Von Niessen. “So we are all participating in Relay for Life to do our small part to aid in that hope. Our entire team has been touched by cancer in some form or another, it affects us all.”
Ladies Who Fight had an original fundraising target of $5,000 for the Relay For Life.
“Original,” because the goal had to be reset numerous times.
“To be honest we are blown away,” said team member Terri Welsh. “Blown away by the generosity of our valley. We have kept increasing our target amount due to the success of our fundraising events and immense generosity.”
How have they done it?
It’s been a three-pronged approach. They had two major events - a beer and burger night at Crown Isle Resort and an outdoor BodyNetix FitCamp at Simms Park. The third prong was simply a call out for donations - through social media, email, texting and the old-fashioned way: in person.
“Currently we have surpassed our final goal of $20,000, and we are ecstatic,” said Niessen. “We want to thank our generous community for all of their support with our campaign.
“If you missed any of our events or you would like to donate to our cause then please come and say hello this Saturday at the Vanier track for the Comox Valley Relay for Life Event.”
Relay for Life goes Saturday, June 11 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 12.
Comox Valley is the number one relay on Vancouver Island. The theme this year is Rock Out to Knock Out Cancer, with XLR8 performing.
There is still time to register in advance, by contacting event co-ordinator Tracy Berg at 250-668-6794, tberg@bc.cancer.ca or at www.relayforlife.ca/comoxvalley
Individuals and teams can also register at the event itself. The cost is $15 per person.
Survivors can sign up for the Free Survivor Dinner and First Lap Celebration by calling the local unit office at 250-338-5454.