Fighting cancer? Bring it on!
Speaking in public – that takes a little doing.
Karrie Roy, who spoke for cancer survivors at Saturday’s 13th annual Relay for Life, drew courage from the crowd assembled in front of her at the event.
“It took me a week to accept that I might have the courage to get up on stage. I said to myself if I can’t speak in a place where everyone is there for the same reason, with open loving hearts, then I can’t do it anywhere.”
Roy said “it was suggested that I get my affairs in order, five years ago, with the grim prognosis of nine months to live.”
With the help of her Earth Angel team and support, she has used the cancer experience to change her outlook on life.
She recited a portion of a work by author Louise Hay that she said is particularly important to remember as those who have cancer deal with their identity.
“I love and approve of my body;
I feed it nourishing food and beverages;
I exercise it in ways that are fun;
I recognize my body as a wondrous and magnificent machine and I feel privileged to live in it.
I have lots of energy.
All is well in my world.”
Karrie was joined by hundreds who walked, jogged, ran, danced, pushed walkers and strollers for 12 hours and in the end raised more than $82,000 for cancer research.
Cindy Vinall, senior manager of community offices for the Cancer Society, said nearly 500 people registered for the event that was held at the Chatham Kent Athletic Centre, behind Chatham-Kent Secondary School.
During the event, participants were treated to music by some of the areas top bands and musicians including Toast and Jam, Crystal Gage, Face 4 Radio, The Chasers, The Remnants, Objective Unknown, Tina Pumfrey and Walkin’ 47.
The top fundraising team was corporate team Geeks with Sneaks from Union Gas. Margaret Koomans was the top individual fundraiser, while the Sawdust team was the number one non-corporate team, and École Secondaire de Pain Court raised the most money among high schools.
Next year’s event will be held at the same location June 10.
