Waterloo Collegiate Institute (WCI) hosted its 10th Relay For Life in May, marking a decade of students, staff, parents, families, and community members uniting to honour survivors, remember loved ones, and support the Canadian Cancer Society.
This year, the school raised more than $66,000, a feat achieved through the collective commitment of the WCI community.
In the weeks leading up to the event, students participated in a handful of themed fundraising days. From Cancer Sucks to Soak a Senior, these smaller events helped build momentum and school spirit.
A Night Built on Community and Connection
The Opening Ceremony began with a Survivor Dinner, bringing cancer survivors and participants from WCI together at the start of the evening to hear and learn from their experiences.
The Survivors' Victory Lap quickly became a highlight, with students surrounding survivors in a wave of support. Throughout the night, teams gathered at their field "home bases," sharing food and music. While one member from each team stayed on the track to symbolize that the fight against cancer never stops, others joined in activities like the Talent Show and themed laps such as the Glow Lap.
As the evening drew to a close, the Luminary Ceremony and silent lap brought the community into a shared moment of reflection. Hundreds of glowing bags lined the track, each honouring someone affected by cancer and reminding everyone of Relay's purpose.
Relay For Life at WCI showed the impact students and schools can have when a community focuses on compassion, action and hope.
