As most of you know my name is Kristy Doyle. I am a
member of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and I am currently stationed at
CFS (Canadian Forces Station) Alert in Alert, Nunavut. CFS Alert is located on the
northeastern tip of Ellesmere Island and is the
most northern permanently inhabited station in the entire world located at 82°28’N
62°30’W.
Throughout my childhood years I was
influenced by the military in many ways, particularly because my father and my
grandfather were serving and retired members of the RCAF. I was able to see the
majority of Canada
while I growing up and was inspired by the pair to join myself in 2009.
In early 2010 my grandfather, Ernie
Spencer, was diagnosed with colon cancer. My grandfather was the first person
in my inner circle to be effected by cancer but one of many in my extended
family. Regretfully, in early August of 2010, while I was enrolled in the
Canadian Forces School of Meteorology, my grandfather passed away.
The Canadian Cancer Society and the
Relay for Life events have been close to my families hearts for many years. My
grandfather, while living in British Colombia, volunteered to be a driver for
patients between treatments and home and as a family we would participate in
Relay for Life events together. It was his generous and kind heart that lead me
to the Canadian Cancer Society and he was truly my role model.
In 2011 as the Relay for Life
events drew closer and closer, I realized I would not be emotionally ready to
participate at that time. When the event came and passed in my community, I was
disappointed in myself for not participating in the ceremony, as I know that is
what he would have wanted me to do. On that day I promised myself I would
participate the following year.
In December of 2011 I was deployed
to CFS Alert. As the winter months rolled into Spring I was wondering when we
would participate in Relay for Life, an event the military is highly supportive
of and involved with. To my surprise there was nothing in the works to happen.
I spoke with my chain of command and requested that I initiate the Relay for
Life in Alert, which is a lodger unit of CFB Trenton and have our relay be
listed as a partner with them. With help from the Ontario coordinator Becky Mitts, I was able
to begin to plan and prepare for the worlds most northerly Relay for Life.
When I began “Team Alert” I had the
option to select what our team would consist of; family, friends, coworkers or other.
I pondered at this for a moment because in Alert, with an average population of
about 70 personnel, it seemed all would and does apply here. A very
enthusiastic team, we began fundraising with little expectation and within the
first week of setting up our online donation website, we surpassed the initial
goal of $1200. Since that week we have had to raise our goal four times… and
counting!
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Relay for Life to me, is more than
just a fundraiser. It shows a definite link in humanity when optimistic people
unite together to reach a common goal. At CFS Alert, in complete isolation, we
have made a connection through this campaign, whose ripples have reached much
further shores than I could have ever imagined. With this being the first relay
in Nunavut, I
have spoke with others living in larger communities who are interested in
participating for next year. Again, this shows the connection that cancer has
on humans, connecting even those from the most isolated communities in our vast
country.
Our Relay for Life will be held on
the 19th of May into the 20th and we will be doing laps
outside in the chilly air of the Canadian Arctic. I am so grateful to everyone
who has supported me in initiating this event as well as those participating and
hope that its effects continue to linger in Alert and it becomes a tradition. I
know my grandfather would be so excited about this event and so for me; it has
been a way to connect us together once again.
If you still wish to pledge on my behalf you can do so:
HERE!
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