Cancer survivors, led by Saugeen District Secondary School (SDSS) student Mackenzie Shular, participated in the ceremonial Survivors Lap at the 2017 Relay for Life event hosted by the SDSS Student Committee May 12.

Hub Staff

The second annual youth hosted Relay for Life drew larger crowd of over 100 people for its second year at Saugeen District Secondary School (SDSS) May 12 where students and community members walked the track and fundraised for the Canadian Cancer Society.

With funds still accumulating the online participants reached 95 people prior to the event with approximately $5,220 dollars raised. A donation from community partner Bruce Power of $6,250 brought the rising total to $11,470. One of the youth organizers, Grade 12 student Makayla Toye, said that the committee was stronger this year. “I’m super proud of this year and super proud of everyone that was involved,” said Toye before the first lap began.

“There’s a lot more community members getting involved this year,” she said, adding that last year people were reluctant. “It’s not just a youth event, it’s for everybody.”

Carly Furniss of the Canadian Cancer Society took to the stage during the opening ceremonies and thanked the student organizers as well as teacher Dr. Mike Laing for their devotion to the event; and told participants that it would be a fun and memorable day. “When you take part in Relay, you are funding research for better treatment and earlier diagnosis in all types of cancer. When you take part in Relay you fight for better policies to support and protect all Canadians,” she said. Furness told the crowd about Wheels of Hope toward which a portion of the Relay funds goes. In 2016 the transportation had 118 volunteer drivers travel over 709,000 kilometres to provide over 5,000 safe rides to cancer related appointments for 418 people in Bruce and Grey County diagnosed with cancer.

Before the survivors lap got underway, SDSS student and cancer survivor, 18 year old Mackenzie Shular, addressed the crowd, tearfully telling her story. From the age of 6 no one knew what was wrong with Shular and for two years, until she was 8 years old, she suffered. “I felt hallow. I was becoming weaker and weaker.” Her troubles worsened after her family doctor retired leaving her a medical orphan. “My pain, headaches were weekly, I became sensitive to light and only felt relief if someone was putting pressure on my head.”

Shular said she spent most of the 3rd grade in the Southampton Hospital and that it became a second home. She was often told she was acting sick for attention but continued “trudging through the sickness” and once she started to see double she was sent to Hospital in London.

Doctors discovered that Shular had a brain tumour, Pilocytic Astrocytoma, the size of a tennis ball. “They told me to prepare for a long road ahead,” she said. Following two surgeries with a painful recovery Shular had to re-learn almost everything, including how to do math, ride a bike and how to hold a fork.

Shular thanked her peers and fellow community members for showing their support for those affected by cancer, saying that without the support she wouldn’t be able to dance with the SB Dance Academy, be a lead in a musical, get her 90 percent in English or accept a key of strength from one of her best friends. “I wouldn't be here to tell you how I won this battle with everyone’s support. I learned to kick life in the butt and then love it again, so with all of my heart, truly, I thank you all,” said Shular before joining four fellow survivors in the Survivor Lap.

During the five hour event that saw continuous walks around the school’s track, there were also activities such as volleyball and tug of war games and another fundraising moment for Heroes for Hope. Two hours into Relay for Life, SDSS students Emma Schuster, Grade 10; Savannah Brown, Grade 11 and Kent Ribey, Grade 11; lost some locks for awareness and to donate hair to Pantine’s Beautiful Lengths, which uses the hair to create wigs for those who have lost their hair as a result of cancer treatments. Schuster raised approximately $565 dollars for Heroes For Hope and donated 8 inches of hair.

Those who still wish to donate to SDSS’s Relay for Life can do so online.

Over 100 participants took part in the Relay for Life event at SDSS May 12.

Student organizers Hanna Lynch (left) Aby Young and Makayla Toye, during the opening ceremonies for Relay for Life May 12.

Cancer survivor Mackenzie Shular sharing her tearful story at Relay for Life May 12.

Emma Schuster (left) Savannah Brown and Kent Ribey before they cut their locks for Heroes for Hope.

Kendall Johnston-Sawyer, owner of Sonas Hair Salon in Port Elgin, was eager to cut some locks for Heroes for Hope May 12.

Looking at 8 inches of her hair, Emma Schuster (right) raised $565 for Heroes for Hope.

Hairdresser Kendall Johnston-Sawyer shaved Kent Ribey’s head.

At dusk participants were invited to light a candle for someone who lost their battle with cancer.