13th Relay for Life in Ingersoll Celebrates Cancer Survivors

Monday, 22 June 2015 at 17:44

$50,000 was raised in Ingersoll's Relay for Life on Friday evening

INGERSOLL - An evening to step up against cancer was the purpose of Ingersoll's Relay for Life. The 13th edition of the relay saw over 200 members take to the track at IDCI to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who aren't with us. Nearly 1.3 million dollars had been raised over the past 12 years from Ingersoll alone with the this years event raising just over $50,000. Fundraising specialist with the Oxford County Community Office for the Canadian Cancer Society Liz Wismer-Van Meer summarized the event on Friday evening to entice the public to participate next year. "We had a great turnout, we had 20 teams, a number of survivors that did that first survivors victory lap for us to kick of relay. We just had a huge variety of entertainment to keep people going throughout the night. We had a lot of people that were saying that they really enjoyed the time change. Everybody really seemed to enjoy themselves there wasn't too many disappointed people with that."

Liz Wismer-Van Meer adds how the survival rate is increasing with hope that one day they will be able to eradicate the disease. "I think for the most part it is a time for those people to look and see just exactly what the dollars raised are doing. The survival rate is increasing drastically, and we are doing what we can and it gives you that little boost to think wow this time in a few more years we will see even more survivors."

Although, those in attendance at the 13th Annual Relay for Life in Ingersoll may come from all walks of life they all had one thing in common being affected by cancer. Liz Wismer-Van Meer explains that although the numbers are down from years past they are still fairing well in the province. "We definitely did very well. Across the province when you look at the numbers Oxford County is few steps ahead of everybody in where we are percentage wise. I think Oxford County definitely deserves to pat themselves on the back. Their generosity and working towards trying to get this cure for cancer, but trying to support those that are living with cancer here in our community and I think we are doing a great job at it." $71,000 raised in 2014 the goal had been increased this year to 76,000 with over which brings the Oxford County total for 2015 up to approximately $319,000 after events in Tillsonburg and Woodstock.