When the Relay for Life organizers light up the luminaries to spell out the word "Hope" on a hill at River Park on the evening of June 1, cancer survivor Marie Meckling will be there, and knows the word will have a special meaning to her this year.

At one point in her life, Meckling was battling breast cancer, but she will be officially cancer-free for five years this year. She attributes the help and support of programs that are funded through campaigns like the Relay for Life for helping make her recovery possible. This was part of the message she passed on to supporters and volunteers at the launch for this year's Relay for Life, held on Saturday afternoon in the outdoor courtyard at City Centre Mall. The relay will run from Friday, June 1 to Saturday, June 2 at River Park.

Meckling said she had a tough time going through the chemotherapy to fight her disease, but was able to make it largely due to the support programs offered through the Canadian Cancer Society.

"It was astounding the support I received. I never knew these supports were available, and I really did need them. The Relay for Life is one way we raise money for these supports," she said, adding the lighting of the luminaries is one of the more special parts of the Relay event.

"I can't tell you how much it means to me to go to River Park when they light the luminaries and see the word 'Hope' written on the hillside - and what that means to us survivors. Every day we survive fighting cancer makes us a survivor," said Meckling.

She noted the Canadian Cancer Society won't consider a person as cancer-free until they have been rid of the disease for a full five years; her own five-year mark will be on May 13.

"With your help, we can ensure other people can reach that status as well," said Meckling.

The funds raised by the Relay for Life go back to the Canadian Cancer Society to fund programs like the support programs Meckling referred to, but also for research which has helped reduce the rate of mortality amongst cancer patients, said John Lawrence, president of the SE Unit of the Cancer Society.

"Your efforts are going a long ways to make history in the fight against cancer," said Lawrence.

"Is there any disease more feared to us than cancer? Very few of us can say that cancer hasn't affected their lives. Relay for Life helps ensure their programs can remain, and encourages people continue to fight this disease," said Mayor Debra Button in her comments.

This year's luminary chair, Caroline Tompson, said the paper bags weighed down with sand and a small candle inside cost $5 each, with the name of a person who has cancer or who has lost their battle with cancer. The luminaries line the pathways in River Park where the relay is held, plus the word "Hope" is spelled out and a special area is set aside nearby where people can go and reflect and remember those who have passed on.

Two awards from last year's Relay were handed out, including for the "Most Spirited team" and "Most Dollars Raised."

The Mardi Gras Flashers were named as the "Most Spirited Team", with Lisa Loustel on hand to accept the award on their behalf. For the second award, the "Marga Relay Bille" team was named as the one which raised the most money, at $4,732. Tanya Hulbert accepted the award on the team's behalf, and said this team held a steak night as its main fundraiser, and will be doing so again this year at Fitzgerald's, only all the teams are invited to be a part of it.

Kim Becker of the Canadian Cancer Society said there about 20 teams signed up so far, and a lot of the teams are on track to raising around that amount again this year. The co-chairs of this year's Relay are Gary and Barb Hudson.