Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013

 CELEBRATE  REMEMBER FIGHT BACK

A couple months ago, a family friend asked if I’d be willing to spend a night documenting just one of the many Relay For Life events happening around the world this summer. This year happens to be the 75th anniversary for the Canadian Cancer Society, and therefore a particularly special year for Relay. The theme would be Fighting Cancer Around The World. Of course I said yes.

Relay For Life 2013 Team Photo.

Skipper’s Crew!

Relay For Life is an inspirational, non-competitive, 12-hour overnight fundraising event that brings a community together to celebrate life and fight cancer. Relay has a festival-like atmosphere and people register as teams whether they are families, co-workers, or friends. I count myself among the fortunate few that haven’t been directly touched by Cancer, but 1 in 3 Canadians will eventually have to face a Cancer journey of some kind. During my lifetime, its bound to affect me or someone I love, so I figure now’s as good a time as any to get involved in this inspirational annual event.

Team spirit never looked so good!

Team spirit never looked so good!

Participants walked laps around the track at Preston High School from 7pm to 7am. I was there for 8 of the 12 hours, from the very beginning until about 1am. By then the Relayers had settled into their rhythms for the night, snoozing in tents around the track in between shifts walking the track. There were entertaining moments, joyful moments, sad moments, triumphant moments, and plenty of hope.

Relay For Life Cambridge 2013 Team Photo

Team Conquer For Brave Mateo, with little Mateo front and center!

In the end, Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013 raised over $155,000 to support Canadians in our community fight Cancer. Outstanding effort everyone, especially the top fundraisers, Team Conquer For Brave Mateo. It was an honour to document this event, thanks for including me, Cambridge.

Canadian Cancer Society nail polish.

Organizer Angie Melchin shows her support with Cancer Society themed nails.

Little ladies help serve a meal for Relay participants.

Little ladies help serve a meal for Relay participants.

T-shirts for all the Cancer survivors at the event.

T-shirts for all the Cancer survivors at the event.

The track is good for more than just walking...

The track is good for more than just walking…

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Team Braga.

Setting up around the track at Preston High School.

Setting up around the track at Preston High School.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Ladies of the Night!

Celebrate, remember, fight back.

Celebrate, remember, fight back.

The survivor banner, with participants' signatures.

The survivor banner, with participants’ signatures.

start line finish line relay for life

From start to finish.

Special dinner provided for survivors and their families.

Special dinner provided for survivors and their families.

Swiss Chalet Cancer Society.

107.5 DAVE FM

Special guest, Dave of 107.5 DAVE FM radio

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013, red neck camp.

American red neck themed camp.

Luminaries at Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Getting luminaries set up in honour and in memory of Cancer patients around the world.

We be Jammin' to beat cancer.

Jamaican themed camp at Relay.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

First laps of the track, warming up before opening ceremonies.

Luminary sales at Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Volunteers selling luminaries.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Now that’s team spirit!

Locks For Love.

Four year old Miss M gets her first ever haircut on stage at Relay For Life.

Locks For Love, Relay For Life.

Miss M has decided to donate her ponytail to Locks For Love.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

A survivor shares his story to kick off the opening ceremonies.

Survivors lead the way.

And they’re off!

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013, survivor lap.

Victory lap for survivors.

Victory lap Canadian Cancer Society.

Everyone going at their own pace during the victory lap.

Victory Lap, Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

The crowd cheers on survivors along their victory lap.

Survivor's victory lap.

Bringing it home at the end of the survivor’s victory lap.

Group at Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Supporting our friends and family during their Cancer journeys.

Family of four at Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

A family affair.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013 cake.

A beautiful cake for Relay participants.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Playing around in between laps.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Special messages line the track.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Getting into the groove.

Ryan Major, Relay For Life.

Ryan Major sings for the crowd.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Participants circle the track during the first hour of Relay.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Preparing special messages in honour of loved ones.

Volunteers at Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Some of our beloved volunteers.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Walking the track.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

A message of hope from these 3 strong ladies.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

More laps…

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Downtime is playtime.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

In good spirits.

Cupcakes at Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Cupcakes for a good cause.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Team members walk together.

Stomp Out Cancer.

Volunteers prepare balloons for the “stomp out cancer” game.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

“Stomp out Cancer!”

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Looking good ladies!

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

On site massages for Relay participants.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

A little rain didn’t slow anyone down.

Belly dancers at Relay For Life

Fantastic belly dancers entertain the crowd.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Enchanting belly dancers.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Unique entertainment for the crowd at Cambridge’s Relay For Life.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Belly dancers in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

More team spirit!

Three sisters participate in honour and in memory of their mom.

Three sisters participate in honour and in memory of their mom.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Walking in sync.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Can you see the ghostly feet walking through this long exposure?

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Still going strong.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Twilight at Relay For Life, 2013.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Just getting started as night falls over Relay For Life, 2013.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

More entertainment from this lovely singer. I must find out her name.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Silhouettes circle the track.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Moving right along.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

More silhouetted moments from Relay.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

More entertainment.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Around and around and around.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Kicking off the emotional luminary ceremony.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

The luminary ceremony.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

To recognize and remember cancer fighters all around the world.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Bagpiper Iain leads the first lap around the track during the emotional luminary ceremony where all the commemorative luminaries are lit.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Taking a moment to appreciate our loved ones.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Making memories.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

And then, everything began to glow.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Remembering and celebrating loved ones that have dealt with cancer.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Iain + hope.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

More hope.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Threatening skies, but not too much rain.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Lovely luminaries.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

New friends and old friends.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

A spooky sky.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Teams sold goodies from glow sticks, to snacks.

Relay For Life luminaries.

Luminaries symbolize hope and support for loved ones that have dealt with and are dealing with Cancer.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

More spooky skies.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

A special message.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

A bead for every lap of the track.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Some of the most dedicated walkers of the night.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

A message of hope glows on the hillside.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

These luminaries are part of the message of hope.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

The entire event, as night deepens.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Luminary details.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

It’s getting late, but these kids don’t mind.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

One of the most playful luminaries lining the track featured the Cat In The Hat.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Late night pizza arrives!

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Coffee break after nearly 7 hours of constant walking around the event with my camera.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Lights line the track at Preston High School.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Another haircut for Locks For Love.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

She raised $85 and made a significant donation to Locks For Love.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Now it’s getting late…

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Settling in for a long night of laps.

Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013.

Even at 1am, team spirit was still going strong.

WANT TO SEE MORE RELAY FOR LIFE PICS? CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY BELOW.

For the rest of the summer, I’ll be offering Relay participants a 30% discount on a la carte photo orders from this event. If you’re interested in purchasing any of these images as digital negatives or as prints, e-mail emilybeattyimagery@live.ca for more information. Thanks everyone.

 

2 thoughts on “Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life, Cambridge, 2013

  1. photography tips

    I truly love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you
    build this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting
    to create my own personal blog and would love to know where you got this from or just what the theme
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    Reply
    1. emilybeattyimagery@live.ca Post author

      Hello! I used the WordPress theme called “2012” to build this blog more or less from scratch. The background with the camera and confetti is a photograph I created myself specifically for the blog and my branding. Using 2012, you can upload any photograph as the background image for your blog. Best of luck with your own site!

      Reply

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