St. Joe's rally kicks off 2024 Hike for Mike/Relay for Life campaign

On Thursday, April 18, St. Joseph's Catholic High School held their annual Relay for Life Rally to kick off fundraising for the 26th Annual Hike for Mike/7th Annual Relay for Life at St. Joe's.

These events are run to raise money and awareness for cancer research to help find a cure as well as improve quality of life for those afflicted.

The first fifteen Hike for Mike events consisted of a 10-km walk from Hawk Cliff to St. Joe's and was originally named Walk to the Hawk.

The event was later renamed to Hike for Mike in 1998 to honour the memory of St. Joseph's student Michael Hall who passed away as a result of childhood cancer.

For the 16th Hike for Mike event, it was decided the hike would take place at St. Joseph's track to help increase student participation and community awareness.

In 2017, the Canadian Cancer Society's Youth Relay for Life team contacted St. Joe's and proposed to merge Hike for Mike and Relay for Life to bring a larger relay presence into St. Thomas and support the local community's efforts in raising funds and awareness for a cure to cancer.

During the past six Hike for Mike/Relay for Life events, St. Joseph's and the community as a whole have managed to raise an astounding $300,000, with last year's event bringing in $64,000 alone.

The St. Joseph's Student Council has set a goal of $65,000 for this year's Hike for Mike/Relay for Life event which is poised to take place Thursday, May 30th and the Rams expect to crush this goal and go even further to help provide support to those living with cancer and their loved ones.

The staff and students at St. Joe's are eager to begin their fundraising and within the first few days of the campaign over $1,000 had already been raised.

With the support of the community and local businesses who are gracious enough to sponsor this event every year, the Rams know this year's event will be one of the greatest yet and are ready to do their part in the fight against cancer.

You can help support the cause at http://relayforlife.ca/stjoes by donating, sharing the link, or even just following the attached Instagram accounts to help spread the word.