By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The track at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School will be a hub of hope and resilience as more than 150 students, staff, and community members lace up for the school’s first-ever Relay for Life in support of cancer research.
School principal, Jennifer Mills, explained that the event, which runs from noon to 7 p.m., has already proven to be a massive success with students and staff surpassing a modest first-year fundraising goal of $6,000. The school is aiming to double the original goal and hopes to hit the $12,000 target for cancer research and support.
Mills said the inspiration for the event came about last October when 25 HHSS students attended the Canadian Student Leadership Conference as spirit leaders. There, the students helped co-ordinate a relay with 500 students from across the country.
“Those students, led by Jordanna Jennings and Graham Backus, decided they wanted to run this event at our school,” she said. “I am amazed at what this team of students has done to organize this important event. To see this come together and all the work they have done to make it happen is inspiring.”
For the student organizers, the event extends beyond raising money, it’s about the impact the disease has on the community.
“It shows how cancer affects everyone and how it’s important to come together to support this cause,” Jennings, a Grade 12 student who attended the leadership conference, said. It’s great to see our school community be a part of something that can make an impact.”
Fellow organizer Backus noted that the relay is “a great learning opportunity for students and brings more awareness to cancer, more than what most kids know about.
“It shows how much people are affected by the cause.”
Outside of the relay, Mills said there’s a slew of other activities students will be participating in, including a three-legged race, minute-to-win-it games, and corn hole.
The Haliburton community has also stepped up to support the cause. After an interview on MooseFM with student leaders, local businesses stepped up to provide everything from needed items to run the event, including food and prizes.
Some contributors include Kawartha Dairy, Todd’s Independent, Valu-mart, Foodland, along with a number of hardware stores and retailers throughout the County. Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Centre also provided support and guidance to the student team,
Mills said. Mills said that the school is still welcoming support from the community and any cancer survivors who wish to participate in the survivor lap or the full event are encouraged to contact the school directly.
“I hope this sets up the model for future students to use to continue to do this and help our community come together,” student organizer Eric Bird said.
If you would like to donate, you can do so at relayforlife.ca/hhss.
