As a volunteer at last year’s Relay for Life and cancer survivor, it seemed only natural Shannon Pennicott would join this year’s committee.
"I wanted to be a bigger part of it and bring about some changes,” says Pennicott.
Although she does not have a specific job title on the committee, her enthusiasm and unique perspective have made her an invaluable member of the team.
This year, Pennicott says she is mainly a "gopher" and just getting her feet wet, bringing new ideas and doing various jobs as they come up.
“I really like the enthusiasm and how the group works together,” she says, adding everyone is very accepting and respectful of each other’s opinions and ideas.
There is a real shift this year to move away from being a closed day with team events and going back to a community event where everyone can come to Centennial Park on June 8 to participate and have fun.
All the while, they will be continuing to raise awareness of what the cancer society does. The public is invited to come down and enjoy the music and activities running all day, says Pennicott.
“You realize when you have been affected by it how much it becomes a part of your world that you weren’t involved in before.
“You realize the importance of the cancer society and how much you need it. You know there’s a group there for you and that’s what I want to help bring to people – you’re not alone.”