TO SOME, Relay for Life is a day dedicated to honouring friends and family members who have survived cancer. To others, it is a day spent in memory of loved ones who have passed on.  

But to everyone who attended this year’s Relay for Life in Kamloops June 12, it was about raising funds and hope through the Canadian Cancer Society.  

Dennis Robertson, who suffers with a rare malady known as carcinoid cancer, spoke to participants – extolling the work of the  Canadian Cancer Society, B.C. Cancer Agency and B.C. Cancer Foundation.  

“They continue to be world leaders in developing new treatments,” he said, adding: “It takes lots of money, dedicated researchers ­and people like us, who are willing to take our treatments, no matter how painful and invasive they may be – because we have attitude, and it is this attitude that gives us the will to live.”

His family rallied around Robertson 12 years ago, when he was diagnosed. They have ‘relayed’ every year since; this year, they fielded two teams.

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In 2008, Robertson’s grandchildren decided to break away from the family’s adult team and form their own team – so they could do fundraising, and show their own dedication to finding a cure.  

At age 13, Luke Lockwood is one of the youngest members of the new Kid Crusaders team. “I’ve been doing Relay for Life all of my life,” he told BCCN. “It just seems natural to participate. It’s fun, and I want to help them find a cure. It’s just a small thing to help.”  

Luke’s efforts to help his grandfather are fueled by two personal losses. Another grandfather died of cancer; and just before the relay, a close friend – also 13 years old – died of brain cancer.  

When asked how he deals with the grief surrounding these blows, he answered: “I just give it to God. It’s easier that way.”              – Sheila Lockwood

July 2010