County raises 216,739.48 celebrating, remembering and fighting back

Soon after the sun rose on Prince Edward County’s third annual Relay for Life, tired but happy fundraisers from more than 70 teams learned they had raised $216,739.48 for cancer research.
Hundreds of participants had spent 12 hours celebrating, remembering and fighting back.

Brooke Ramsay

When Brooke Ramsay was diagnosed with in 2010 with brain cancer, she immediately wanted to raise funds for cancer research.
“Her desire to make a difference in the fight against cancer led us to participate in Relay for Life in Brighton,” said her mom, Rhonda, at the opening ceremonies Friday.
“I know that every team here tonight is walking for someone they love or lost or hope to save from cancer. Our team is walking in memory or our daughter, niece and best friend Brooke” who died last summer at the age of 23.
Brooke’s Donkeys’ two dozen team members raised $80,000 last year in Brighton and were the top fundraising team in Canada,” said PEC Relay co-chairman Jim Vince. “Rhonda Ramsay and her sisters grew up here in the County and this was a very favourite place for Brooke.”
Last year in Brighton, Brooke was prepared to experience everything the relay had to offer.

Brooke's Donkeys

“She cut the ribbon that night to start the relay,” her mom said. “She proudly did the Survivors’ Walk and when the luminaries were lit, she circled the track and realized how many others shared her story.
“It was a huge comfort for Brooke to be surrounded by so much love and hope at the relay. So tonight, Brooke’s Donkeys are continuing where Brooke left off and while we don’t walk with Brooke by our side this year, we do walk in memory and embrace her goal of making a difference in the fight against cancer.”
By rally night this year, the team’s website showed members had gathered more than $65,00.
Sarah Reddick and Nancy Etmanski held the Survivor’s Walk banner as more than 150 cancer survivors made their way around the “Victory Lap” at the fairgrounds.
Twenty of the 70 teams were from Prince Edward Collegiate Institute. PECI’s entrepreneurship class organized a host of events to keep participants busy for the duration.
At dusk, was the touching ceremony of lighting candles in memory of loved ones lost to cancer, and in honour of those living with the disease. The Luminary Ceremony is the one time when the event gets quiet as candles are lit all around the track providing a lighted path for the rest of the evening.

CELEBRATE

Sarah Reddick and Nancy Etmanski held the Survivor's Walk banner as more than 150 cancer survivors made their way around the "Victory Lap" at the fairgrounds.

REMEMBER

Event co-sponsor team Scotiabank watches as Picton's Ashley Berwick releases his doves during the opening ceremonies of the third annual Prince Edward County Relay for Life fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society.

 FIGHT BACK

Relay for Life “Relay’s Got Talent” Jay Finner couldn’t be at the event to show off his new Relay for Life Rap so Frame X Frame Productions made a quick lyric video to show on Relay night!