Relaying hope

St. Vital

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This article was published 24/04/2024 (755 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Dakota Collegiate school community has come together to take on cancer.

The St. Vital-based school is in the process of organizing its third Relay for Life event in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society.

The school-only event will be held on Tuesday, May 14 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Murray Field, next to the school. Dakota’s last two Relay for Life events have raised more than $40,000 for cancer research.

Organizers say many in the school’s community have been directly touched by the disease, and taking part in the relay provides them a chance to help those living with cancer, as well as those who have moved past it, and to honour and remember loved ones taken by the disease.

Dakota’s Relay for Life is spearheaded by the school’s student leadership group and its trio of presidents — Vishnu Bhathela, Himani Bhatt, and Saylem Meleck.

“There are different purposes for us to hold the event,” said 16-year-old Meleck, the group’s participant engagement chair. “It’s a chance for us to bring the school together, and fundraise for cancer research, and to honour those who’ve been affected by cancer.”

Meleck said holding the event outdoors allows the team extra space to invite participating students from several other high schools in Louis Riel School Division.

Bhatt explained students are fundraising both individually and in teams. The event itself is a non-competitive relay, and several community members will take part in a survivors’ lap, when they will be invited to share their own struggles with cancer and give hope to others living with the disease.

“The final lap will be a luminary ceremony, which will include decorated bags and tea lights set up around the lap,” said Bhatt, 16, who is the event experience chair.

Participating students will have the chance to walk their laps listening to music, and take breaks to participate in activities, play games and enjoy free food. Many staff members will also be involved and taking part.

Participants have to register and pay a fee to take part.

“Many of the people that have donated to the cause have been connected to the school in some way,” said Bhathela, 17, the group’s finance captain.

The trio acknowledged the collective contributions and support of other committees and groups at the school, such as the fundraising efforts of the Black and Gold Society and the Lancers football teams, members of which will help out with a little bit of everything on the day of the event.

Once again, the group has worked closely this year with Dakota teacher Elaine Solinski.

Visit www.relayforlife.ca/dakota for more information.