The tents are popping up at the CFB North Bay athletic field, but this isn’t a military exercise.
Instead, it is an exercise in fellowship, support, and hope.
For the past 16 years, this has been the location for the Relay For Life event which raises money to go towards Cancer research.
Gil Pharand, Manager of the North Bay and District Canadian Cancer Society, says that everyone at some time has or will be touched by the disease.
“It is such an emotional time this event, I know you just walk around during the survivor lap at the beginning or the luminary ceremony at the end and it’s just amazing the emotion that is happening,” said Pharand.
The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday night at the base. Pharand says the unwavering support from the military for this event is special.
“They are doing all kinds of work that takes a lot of people to do and they specialize in it so they do such a great job, they are organized and without them, it would truly be a different event so our hats are off to them,” said Pharand.
“They are out here in the rain, they are out here in the black flies so it means a lot.”
Captain Kelly Dermody, Detachment Commander for four-line squadron, say it's easy to find volunteers at the base who want to help out.
“It’s an event we have been a part of four 17 years and we are very proud to host it. We have dozens of volunteers who collectively put in hundreds of hours of work,” said Dermody.
“The base donates more than $20,000 in in-kind donations in terms of the equipment and the manpower that is used to run this event.”
The North Bay version will also see the return of live music which will be performed by honorary survivor Verdon Vaillancourt.
“Cancer is tough as it is, everybody goes through a different journey but for him as a musician and a singer, to have the cancer he had in his throat, not knowing if he will ever be able to sing again, let alone talk,” said Pharand.
“He has recovered and I think him playing live music at Relay for this cause is just amazing for him.”
Pharand says 45 teams have registered for the event and the financial goal is $123,000.
Anyone who sill wants to help with the even can go here
