Though North Hastings had some thunderstorms Saturday evening, the Bancroft Crusaders had a sunny afternoon for their Relay for Life event.
Team captain Druscilla Hannah said they had raised more than $11,000 online heading into the relay day, but fundraising efforts were continuing with the Crusaders’ silent auction, a raffle and donations from vendors set up at the event.
Before the walk, Helena McMann gave a keynote speech about her battle with cancer after being diagnosed last year.
“I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve grown a lot. And, if in one small way, if even one person today felt a little more inspired or a little more at peace about what’s going on in their life, then I’ve made a difference,” she said.
McMann’s son Alex performed music, and she said it was very special for them to be there together sharing their family’s journey.
To start the relay, a line dancing group from Faraday performed a dance to Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” in honour of the cancer survivors at the relay.
The Crusaders and the survivors then completed the first lap to local artist Audrey Mackey’s song “Step by Step.”
