Relay For Life

Beginning in 1999, the Ottawa Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society has sponsored a fundraiser called the “Relay for Life.” It involves a 12 hour team relay originally held at Lansdowne Park , and for the last few years re-located to the Nepean Sportsplex.

Those would the bare bones facts. They do not tell the whole story:

The Relay starts with a victory lap taken by cancer survivors. To see the faces of the people of many ages walk and strut their way around the track to say that cancer is a part of who they are, but not all that they are, is to witness a celebration of the human spirit at its best.

At the beginning of the evening, to see yourself as a member of your own team and no more is OK. Reality is that over the course of the night you will hear and see and meet other people and stories, which will serve to make you a part of the Relay family.

The highlight of the celebration which is the Relay for Life is the “Luminary Ceremony.” At about 10:00 pm candles are lit to honour the memory of those who are remembered and those who are supported in their journey with cancer. In an age of busyness and noise, the Luminary Ceremony is marked in deep silence and profound respect.

Every year there are people we know and love for whom cancer becomes a part of their life and death. Every person at the Relay knows at least one of those stories, and knows exactly why they are there.

The Builders Lodge has a strong commitment to engaging with the community.  Members have been involved in the event since its inception and there has been a lodge team since 2001.  Since then over $35,000 has been raised by the lodge and its friends to make cancer history.

We would be more than happy to have you join us in the future.


The Builders' Cup

In order to encourage other masonic lodges to participate in the Relay for Life and make cancer history, The Builders' Lodge # 177 donated a trophy - The Builders' Cup. It has encouraged a friendly competition at the Relay for Life and the participation of a strong masonic contingent.



Come and join us in an extraordinary evening of celebrating the human spirit at it's finest. It will at the same time help raise some money to help make cancer a thing of the past.