On June 22, the 8th annual IDIDALAP4CANCER community fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society was held at the Nechako Valley Secondary School sports field in Vanderhoof.
For 12 hours, from noon until midnight, locals and individuals from the surrounding made their way around the NVSS track to come together and celebrate cancer survivors, while showing appreciation for caregivers and health care practitioners and remembering those loved ones who were lost to the debilitating disease.
Vanderhoof’s IDIDALAP4CANCER was envisioned by cancer survivor Leslie McAvity as a way for smaller community to replicate a Relay for Life, a larger scale version of the fundraising event. Now in its eighth year, the fundraiser has become a successful staple of the community year after year.
In 2011, just over 19 teams raised $30,000 to help fund leading-edge cancer research that is improving cancer treatments, preventing cancer and saving lives. Funding also inhibits the Canadian Cancer Society to provide reliable and up-to-date information on cancer, risk reduction and treatment, while offering vital community-based support services for people living with cancer and their families.
Since IDIDALAP4CANCER is a true community affair, local elementary school children are heavily involved in the process, through fundraising prior to the relay, providing live performances, while exhibiting support, encouragement and appreciation to survivors during the first Survivor lap that took place just after noon.
An hour before midnight, decorated IDIDALAMPS are placed around the perimeter of the field and candles are lit, dedicated in the memory of lost loved ones, the celebration of cancer survivors and the continued support of those currently battling the disease.
During this time, those in attendance carry candles on their walk, while stopping along the way to offer moments of reflection at the lamps that they may have decorated.
Furthermore, during this final hour, walkers are joined by the Vanderhoof Volunteer Fire Department, who arrive in their fire trucks wearing their fire-fighting garb.
Since IDIDALAP4CANCER falls under the umbrella of the Canadian Cancer Society, fundraising efforts would not have been directly donated to an individual, family or the local cancer clinic.
This year, the Kordyban Lodge in Prince George, Camp Goodtimes — which is for children with cancer and their families to attend — and Childhood Cancer Research will be the recipients of the fund-raised money.