Ottawa high school raises more than $100,000 for Relay for Life

Students at Canterbury High School have raised $100,000 for the Relay for Life fundraiser. CTV’s Camille Wilson reports.

Canterbury High School students raised more than $112,000 at the Relay for Life fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Each student had to raise at least $100 to participate with some raising far beyond that.

Ivy Tomlinson, a Canterbury student, raised the most amount of money – more than $2400. She said she asked family, friends and even went door-to-door twice.

“I have family and people I love myself who are struggling with cancer or have been cancer survivors. It’s just it’s such an important cause. The research help funding it. Every dollar goes towards something much bigger,” said Tomlinson.

Four students that co-headed the event says that the efforts of their school truly filled their hearts and are proud of what we could achieve.

“Cancer affects everyone. Everybody has their own story with cancer. So, it’s really important that we come together as a school and raise all this really important money,” said Grace Lockhart, a Grade 11 student.

The students had a goal of raising $60,000 before fundraising began.

“This has really brought us together. We’re all together in this and we’re all fundraising together as a school,” said Hannah Brosseau, a Grade 11 student.

For over 26 years, Relay For Life has gathered Canadians to bring awareness to cancer.

At Relay For Life events, thousands of participants of all ages come together at a community space and take turns walking around a track or path to symbolize the perseverance and action needed to improve lives and change the future of cancer forever.

“The Relay for Life youth program is the fastest growing program at the Canadian Cancer Society, with over 240 events and over 60,000 participants this year taking place at both high school and post-secondary institutions,” said Allie Raper, manager of Relay For Life Youth at the Canadian Cancer Society.

“It really does ignite a movement that starts within the four walls of the school but goes far greater beyond that. It’s a movement that inspires the next generation of student leaders to take action, to create change.”

The first lap is known as the “Lap of Hope’ honouring participants. After dusk, luminaries light the track in memory of those we have lost.

Andrew Blauer, a teacher at Canterbury High School and a cancer survivor, says the school is filled with incredible kindness and generosity.

“I’m now 15 years post-treatment and I’m doing great. I’m incredibly grateful for the people that rallied to raise money for science and research and innovation in cancer treatment,” said Blauer.

“That’s what these kids are doing. They’re making a better future for people who will be treated, with cancer, with ailments.”

Other schools in Ottawa are hosting Relay for Life events in Ottawa this spring. Here is a look at how much some schools in Ottawa have raised, according to the Relay for Life website:

• A.Y. Jackson Secondary School - $78,793
• Bell High School - $19,844
• École Secondaire Catholique Pierre-Savard - $44,406
• Earl of March Secondary School - $80,183
• Immaculata High School - $5,240
• John McCrae Secondary school - $33,870
• Merivale High School - $45,131
• Nepean High School - $95,766
• École Secondaire Catholique Garneau - $63,356
• Sacred Heart Catholic High School - $65,440
• Sir Robert Borden High School - $48,127
• West Carleton Secondary School - $147,027