The new and improved Relay for Life site at 22 Wing Canadian Forces Base North Bay was featured during a media conference Friday to
promote the June 19-20 event. This is the ninth year 22 Wing has hosted the event which has become the charity’s national signature fundraiser. There are 70 teams registered locally with room for 35 more, said Susan Plamondon, fundraising co-ordinator with the North Bay branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. Sgt. Kevin Thompson, the honorary cancer survivor spokesman, said he and many of the participants will be thinking of family and friends who have been touched by this disease. Thompson spent two years fighting the same type of cancer that killed Terry Fox. The Relay for Life, Thompson said, allows cancer survivors to have an annual ceremony to gather and share stories and make dedications to those who died. It’s an opportunity to go out and be around all the people who have battled this awful disease,” he said. We’re all the same, part of one little family.” Thompson said he and a hockey team are preparing to honour a friend who died shortly after last year’s relay, adding that his widow will also participate.
My heart’s a little heavy because of this being the anniversary of his passing,” he said.