They braved the elements to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back

5-year-old Emmerson who has battled cancer this year proudly shows off her t-shirt during the 11th annual Relay for Life Friday at CFB North Bay.

Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back ... that is exactly what the community did Friday night as they gathered at CFB North Bay Friday for the Canadian Cancer Society’s 11th Annual Relay for Life.

Thousands of people – cancer survivors, their friends, families, co-workers – converged on the soccer field to set up ‘Tent City’, battle the elements, and share their commitment to fight back against this disease.

The night kicked off with the emotional Survivors’ Victory Lap – where hundreds of cancer survivors circled the track to celebrate their courage and strength. This first lap offers hope and encouragement for those still fighting cancer and to everyone who is determined to fight for life.



Following the victory lap everyone joined in, young and old, circling the track for 12 hours sharing their stories of survival, loss, and celebrating life.

They all agree there can be no finish line until there is a cure for all types of cancer.

The night held many special moments including the luminary lighting ceremony. The candles surrounded the track and each one bearing the name of a cancer survivor or someone who has lost their battle. The luminaries provide light and motivation to participants throughout the night.

But perhaps the most inspiring moment came at midnight when survivor Chris Summersby, with son Darren at his side, shared his story of survival and pledged to continue the fight.

“Most people who know me know that I don’t talk a lot about my journey, but after having a very close friend and colleague pass away a couple of months ago I thought it was the least I could do.”

“I first thought when I was asked to speak in the fighting back ceremony was what does it really mean … it didn’t take very long to figure it out. It really means what are you doing as a person to help get rid of this terrible disease. A disease that comes in many forms but yet it is all called under one name ‘cancer’.”

“So first of all we are all fighting back by being here tonight walking with our friends, family and co-workers and with hundreds of survivors. For those of you who don’t know why we walk at night (it’s) because cancer never sleeps and has no boundaries as to who it strikes.”

For nine years Summersby has been cancer free but he hasn’t forgotten the impact the disease had on his life or on his family. He talked about missed birthdays and holidays as he underwent treatment in a Sudbury hospital.

“They asked me to give a brief history of my personal journey with cancer and when I say personal it also means my family and friends who came along with me … through all the low points struggles and negative thoughts to the high points and positive attitudes and seeing the cancer move from within my body a point of remission.”

“With such a caring oncology nurses and staff it ended up being that I spent 155 days in hospital going through 5 rounds of chemotherapy, My journey in hospital started with many low days and I believe much was to do with my negative attitude at the start and really not knowing what my outcome was going to be.”

“However, it was not long before my family, co-workers and friends encouraged me and supported me and allowed me to get into a better place. And with that positive attitude it started to really allow me to fight the cancer head on.”

“I had a young family and needed to be there to see my kids grow up. Had a job I loved and wanted to get back with my co-workers.”

Summersby says his fighting back has included being a Relay for Life team captain for 5 years, visiting with young men and women who are starting treatment at the cancer clinic and encouraging people to donate blood.

“We all have goals and dreams of seeing a cure for cancer and it will take time of course and money to support research.”

“I would ask all of you to make it your goal to reach out to one person and ask them who have never been to this Relay for Life to attend next year.”

“We all know that once you have experienced the power of this walk they’ll be back and hopefully then they will bring back someone with them. If we all bring back one person next year we’ll be able to double the amount of teams next year and double the amount of money for this great event.”

“Fighting back as you have heard can be so many things this is just my story of hundreds of stories going around the track tonight. I’m almost 10 years cancer free and I’m fighting back with a positive attitude and I can still ask myself am I fighting back with all that I can give. I believe that I can give more, so I ask you all yourselves tonight can you.”



As of 7am Saturday morning $190,000 had been collected. Officials say they expect more funds to come in and hope they will reach their goal of $200,000.