me to all sorts of life events through out the year.

As I look back, there is a clear favourite image that makes my heart sing every time I look at it.  I come from a big family; I have 5 sisters. It’s hard for all us 6 girls to get together in one place and when we do it’s full of laughter and chaos. We have 16 kids between us 6 sisters, and it’s amazing to see our kids playing together just as we did growing up.

I happened across this cousin-moment at Thanksgiving. There was no time to think about camera settings and exposure, just enough time to click one frame.

One frame that I need to frame….

I hope your day is ridiculously amazing,

Christine

Onto Part two of the Relay…

A member of Team Mixcor Cancer Crushers, volunteered to have his head shaved at the event…

Just before the Luminary Ceremony, friends of ours who are volunteers at the Edmonton Relay for Life visited to show their support (And I’m sorry to say there are two people missing from this photo of good-hearted supporters, Trina and Omari).  Thank you!

The Luminary ceremony was next.  I was asked to speak briefly.  I cried all the way through it! Seeing what my Father has gone through this past year carries so much pain in my heart, and it’s a fresh wound. I sat with him at the Cross Cancer Institute for his first radiation treatment on the Monday before the Relay. Click HERE to read about it.

My Dad continues to fight with a smile on his face, and a kind word to everyone who crosses his path.  I’m so proud of him…

I was so overtaken with emotion, I didn’t take many photos of the luminary ceremony as I usually do. Please accept my apology!

Then the snow came…

In Memory of my Aunty and My friend Chris who both bravely fought this devastating disease. I think of you often.

The snow stopped as suddenly as it started, and dawn was finally upon us…

Despite the snow, many luminaries continued to burn into the morning hours.

A special thank you to our Team Hope Captain: Jackie Martineau.  I appreciate all your hard work more than you could ever know.

Love you!

Marking the end of the event, 7:00 a.m.  See you all next year…same place, same time!

We Celebrated

We Remembered

We Fought Back!!!

All Images are copyright to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Please check out the other two Photographer’s blogs!  I know they are still adding to their blog posts as I post this, so remember to check back!

Tawny of Tawny Lee Photography: http://justagirlwithhercamera.blogspot.com/2011/06/must-get-this-out-so-i-can-finally-lay.html

Linda of LMK Photography: http://photographybylmk.blogspot.com/2011/06/leduc-relay-for-life.html

*Update June 14: The photos are online! Please visit http://christinehopaluk.com/blog/2011/06/14/leduc-relay-for-life-picture-orders/ for details!

I wish I could include every photo I took (all images are copyright of the Canadian Cancer Society); however, In 2 weeks, photos from all three of us photographers will be available to purchase through my website*. Please stay tuned on this blog for more info or follow the Leduc Relay for Life facebook page for updates! All proceeds from the sale of photos goes directly to the Canadian Cancer Society.  It’s a way to raise even more funds for our Relay. *Update June 14: The photos are online! Please visit http://christinehopaluk.com/blog/2011/06/14/leduc-relay-for-life-picture-orders/ for details!

I have always been honoured to be a part of the Relay for Life in the past, but this year’s Relay was incredibly close to my heart as my Dad is fighting prostate cancer and started his radiation treatment just last week. If you are interested in reading more about my Dad’s story, click HERE.

The Relay kicked off with the Survivor Banquet, a tribute to all those who have bravely fought their own personal cancer battle.  As I stood in the hall listening to those courageous souls share their stories, I was overcome with emotion.  Your strength, bravery, tenacity, and unyielding will to fight is amazing.  Thank you for sharing your stories of Hope and Courage.

“What Cancer Cannot Do”
-Author Unknown

Cancer is so limited…
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship(s)
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer the spirit.

The song “I Will Stand by You” by Rascal Flatts played during the first laps. I invite you to click here ——> A Song for Survivors and listen while you scroll through these photos. Thank you to all the survivors and care-givers who attended the event and started things off by walking the first laps…you are the reason we Relay.

The Celebrating Survivors Banner carries messages of Hope to others. The Survivors then carry this banner of courage for the balloon release and the first lap of the relay.

The Survivor first lap…such a powerful moment.

There were some great outfits this year worn by the Relayers! Team “Arrsome Maties”

Team Hier Power who raised just under $10,000!!! Way to go!

Team “F! Cancer”.  Their loyal dog walked the track all night as well through the rain and snow.

I was part of Team Hope, and together we raised $13,673!  Thank you to all those who supported our team!

I was also 1 of 3 Photographers…

Some creative backs Team Mixcor Cancer Crushers who raised over $16,000!!!

Our Team Hope (Thank you Linda for taking our team photos):

Team Hier Power, love your capes…

Even through the rain, the face painters were there….

This is T. She was one of the dancers who entertained the crowd during the Relay.

All Images are copyright of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Please continue reading onto “Leduc Relay for Life Part 2″

This is when the snow makes it’s appearance.  Yes, that’s right, snow on June 3rd. Only in Alberta…