Students at St. Patrick High School were doing their part in the fight against cancer on May 17.
The ‘Relay for Life' was held in support of research by the Canadian Cancer Society. It was also a chance to celebrate the hard work and dedication of those who have come together to raise funds.
This year, the students set a fundraising goal of $15,000 and are close to achieving it. Last year's, the school managed to raise around $17,000. Donations from Hair Lounge, Co-op, and Territorial Beverages helped the evening go a bit more smoothly.
The event has grown more organized in its second year with a committee of nine students leading the charge. The students’ familiarity with the event from the previous year also contributed to a smoother process.
“It was very similar to the one last year, and we’re trying to make it an annual thing at St. Pat’s,” said Audrey Debogorski, co-chair of Relay for Life.
The school is the only one in the NWT participating in such an event.
The evening was also a chance to pay tribute to those who are living with cancer, those who have recovered, and those who have succumbed to the disease. Debogorski shared her own personal experience of losing her grandfather to cancer during the pandemic and she believes it's important for her to support people who may need help during challenging times.
The event featured activities such as table tennis, karaoke, a concert and more, as well as running in support of the survivors in the school’s gym.
Student Rijwal Kadel did his part by shaving his hair, mirroring many of those who lose their hair while undergoing treatment.
“I feel amazing, and I wanted to participate in this event,” he said.
Keri Peach, a cancer survivor herself, said she was grateful to the students who organized the evening.
Peach was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 while living in Nova Scotia. After undergoing a lumpectomy and radiation treatment, she made the decision to move to Yellowknife. She works as a program support teacher at N. J. Macpherson School.
“Having cancer really makes you think about your life choices, and I was in a place where I wasn’t satisfied with how I was feeling, and I really needed a big change,” she said.
Looking into the future, Peach is currently on medication to help prevent a relapse, but she is taking matters into her own hands. She plans to have a double mastectomy within the next year, which will almost negate any possibility of her having breast cancer again.