Nanton students rallied together, raising a record-breaking amount to fight cancer.
During this year's Relay for Life, students from the J.T. Foster School raised $17,366.35.
Every year, students fundraise and then run the relay along the school's track, where the team with the most laps earn bragging rights.
To fundraise, students went door-to-door, while others took to social media or asked their families for support.
Although the school annually participates in the Relay for Life, this year’s event took on a new personal meaning for the students.
“This year we have a Grade 12 student, Lucas Marchbank, who was recently diagnosed with a very aggressive form of Lymphoma,” said Jason MacDonald, J.T. Foster Principal. “We were fundraising for cancer research, but we also had Lucas in the backs of our minds as someone who's been directly impacted by the disease.”
The event day begins with an opening ceremony featuring a survivor's speech. This year, a video that Marchbank made played where he expressed his gratitude and shared his story.
Following the speech was a survivor's lap around the track, where students followed behind cheering.
For the rest of the day, one person had to remain on the track.
“It's a highly symbolic event, so one person being on the track at all times symbolizes how cancer never rests, and we always have to be up and ready to fight,” said Zoe Krahulic, Grade 12 student and J.T. Foster Leadership Team member.
The day finished with a closing ceremony and a luminary event, where students write who they are fighting for on a paper bag with a tea light inside.
“We walk around the track and think about all of those that are still fighting or who have lost the fight to cancer that are still in our hearts,” Krahulic said.
This year’s Relay for Life was the school's most successful.
“Financially, it was our most successful, and just the atmosphere that we created throughout the day was very hopeful and very emotional,” Krahulic said.
She was first inspired to get involved in the Relay for Life three years ago, as she is at a higher risk of cancer.
“This event always means a lot to me because I might have to fight this fight in the future, and I've lost family members to cancer,” she said. “This event always brings me hope."
Through participating in the Relay for Life, MacDonald is hopeful that students learn that they can make a difference.
“Don't let anybody tell you that a small group of people cannot make change, because we've certainly proven that we can,” he said.
Moving forward, MacDonald sees the event continuing to grow.
“If we're in a situation where we need help, we would hope that our community is there for us,” he said. “It's important to take part in these things as a demonstration of good relationships, working together, and camaraderie.”
Without the support of the community, the success of the Relay for Life wouldn’t have been possible.
“I love my community, and it's just great to see everyone come together and rally around the cause,” Krahulic said.
“I couldn't be prouder and impressed with the crew that we have here at J.T. Foster,” MacDonald said. “It's a wonderful event, and coming off the heels of it, it's so heartwarming, and it feels really good to brag about my students.”