For over two decades, students across Canada have been lacing up their sneakers in support of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. That includes students in the Ottawa Catholic School Board. This year alone 5 OCSB High Schools, including Immaculata High School, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, St. Josephine Virtual High School and St. Mother Teresa Catholic High School, raised an incredible $102,173.9.
Relay For Life honours “Participants of Hope” during the first lap. When the sun goes down, luminaries light the track in memory of those they have lost. By coming together, students feel a sense of unity and hope that we will find the cure for many forms of cancer in the student’s lifetime.
Relay for Life aligns with the OCSB’s Spiritual Theme – “Gratitude Rooted in Joy, Fills Us With Hope.” Since Relay for Life events started in 1999, students have gathered on high school tracks to symbolize the perseverance and action needed to change the future of cancer. OCSB’s students understand that hope has the power to transform lives and the lives of those around us.
The $102,173.9 raised in 2022 will help to fund the following:
- Support for groundbreaking cancer research into all types of cancer
- Offer support services to help people better manage life with cancer
- Shape health policies to prevent cancer and support those living with the disease
- Offer trusted cancer information for all Canadians
Director of Education Tom D’Amico says this is an example of our students practicing our Deep Learning Model. Deep Learning activates the brain but also engages the heart. A key benefit of Deep Learning is that it encourages students to think beyond themselves and develop character traits such as humility, kindness, perseverance and resilience.