25th annual Trojan Parade for Cancer goes today

A milestone Trojan Parade for Cancer goes today (Wednesday).

West Ferris teacher Mark Robertson says it’s their 25th annual event.

He says it’s come a long way and raised a lot of money since Stacey Whittaker and a group of students collected pledges and walked around the track at West Ferris in 1993.

“Our total after this year, we’ll be over $250,000 in total raised. A lot of that goes to the Canadian Cancer Society, but then there is Camp Oochigeas and there’s another camp in northern Ontario (Camp Quality) that the money goes to help support,” he says.

Student Council President Katie Schankula, a grade 11 student at West Ferris, says everyone at the school is excited about taking part in the traditional event, and to show their support.

“It’s a chance to walk for people that you know who have fought and battled cancer, some have succeeded, some have not. It’s very close to home for all of us, since some former Trojan students have been in the battle with cancer,” she says.

Along with gathering pledges the students take part in a number of fundraising events in the lead up to the parade.

Some include dress-down days and bake sales.

Later this morning the students will walk from West Ferris to the waterfront for a cheque presentation and a variety of events.