NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
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Students from Newmarket High School raised $87,500 so far this year through Relay for Life to support the Canadian Cancer Society.
Months of fundraising culminated May 23 in a nine-hour relay with hundreds of students participating. Several cancer survivors were also in attendance and began the event by walking the opening Victory Lap.
This year’s Relay for Life was dedicated to Lillian Sandic-Aylon, a longtime, beloved Newmarket HS teacher, who lost her battle with cancer in the summer of 2018. All funds raised were donated to the Canadian Cancer Society in her name.
“Our student organizing committee and our fundraisers did a fantastic job this year ensuring that our 2019 Relay for Life was a memorable one,” said Leslie-Anne Holmeshaw, teacher at Newmarket HS. “It was a joy to watch our students, past and present, engage in an evening of fun, games, musical entertainment, heartwarming speeches and a luminary lap dedicated to loved ones lost and to those still fighting cancer.”
Since adopting the event in 2006, student-led initiatives have collectively raised more than $838,000 to support cancer research and Canadians living with cancer and their families. Over $300,000 of that total was raised in the last four years.
Fundraisers included:
- Online and in-person pledges
- Haircutting pledges (all hair donated to make wigs for cancer patients)
- Leg waxing
- Bottles drives
- Bake sales
- Used clothing sale
- Sponsorship
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