Peter Schiefke, the federal Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil-Soulanges, has been named Honourary President for the 10th edition of the Relay for Life which will be held at Olympic Park in Pincourt on Saturday, June 10. 

As a cancer survivor, Schiefke has been an ardent supporter of the annual event which raises funds for cancer research. He is encouraging people to participate any way they can.

"It’s an honour to serve as the Honourary President of the 2023 Relay For Life and to be able to support the Canadian Cancer Society in their work. When I went through my own battle with cancer in 2012, I benefited greatly from advancements in cancer research and treatments," Schiefke told Néomédia.

"Walking in the Relay for Life in Vaudreuil-Soulanges for the last eight years, and serving this year as the Honourary President, is a way for me to pay-it-forward and ensure that we keep developing better treatments, save more lives and eventually, one day, find a cure," said Schiefke.

"I encourage everyone in our community who is battling cancer, knows someone who is, or has lost someone they love to cancer, to start their own team and walk in honour of that person, or support someone or a team already taking part in the Relay for Life," Schiefke said.

"Together, we can make a difference in the life of someone we love, or someone we have never met, and that’s one of the beautiful things about the Relay for Life," he added.

The event involves teams and individuals who raise funds to take turns walking around a marked path of lights in honour or in memory of people affected by cancer. 

"Cancer never sleeps, so participants walk in solidarity and support to celebrate life," said Claude Giguère, Coordinator of this year's 16th edition of the Relay for Life.

Among the many paticipants is Graham Batty, a talented bagpipe player originally from St. Lazare who will participate in the event and open the homage of the lights with his bewitching melody at dusk. Candles can be purchased for $5 to support this great cause.