‘Everyone has a reason why:’ Notre Dame Catholic High School students rally for Relay for Life campaign next month

Students at Notre Dame Catholic High School in Carleton Place are once again preparing to walk, fundraise and honour those affected by cancer as the school’s annual Relay for Life campaign returns for its third year next month.

The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026 at the school premises on McKenzie Street, is part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s nationwide Relay for Life initiative.

Every spring, Relay for Life brings communities together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those lost to the disease and support those currently undergoing treatment. Participants walk laps throughout the day while taking part in other activities, entertainment and fundraising efforts for cancer research, support services and advocacy programs.

Jessica Norwood, a teacher at Notre Dame Catholic High School, said the student committee plays a central role in organizing the event. She credited student co-chairs Lily Camp and Isabella Rossetti for helping lead this year’s campaign efforts.

“Students are involved in every aspect of planning, organizing, and executing this event,” Norwood told Lanarkist. “Some committee members have been involved since the very first year, driven by
their personal stories and connections to cancer and a desire to bring this event to our
school.”

Norwood said the cause resonates deeply for students and staff alike because of the sheer impact and scope of cancer, affecting so many families in the community.

“Statistically, cancer will affect almost one in two Canadians,” she noted. “Raising money for cancer isn’t just altruistic — it’s an investment in the future health of ourselves, our friends and our family.”

The student committee says advances in cancer research and treatment are another reason students remain committed to fundraising each year.

“We see the real impact of the work the Canadian Cancer Society does, and that also motivates us to support their efforts,” Norwood told Lanarkist. “What motivates us is that, sadly, some staff and students are experiencing cancer firsthand through their own family situations.

“I think everyone has a reason ‘why,’” Norwood continued, sharing her own personal experiences with the disease. “I lost my grandfather to kidney cancer, my godmother survived non-Hodgkin lymphoma, I lost a friend before she reached her 30s, my best friend’s dad is battling lung cancer, and we have watched friends walk alongside their child through treatment for a brain tumor. One of my beloved colleagues
is also a survivor. Truly, the list goes on and on.”

The school’s event goal this year is $40,000, with more than $7,200 already raised as of this week. The community is encouraged to support the campaign as students continue working toward their fundraising goal.