A familiar face joins Relay For Life

POLOKWANE – Today (Thursday) is David Booth’s first official day as the Cansa Relay For Life coordinator.

Before today, David was an active vo-lunteer at Cansa, helping out where he was needed.

Earlier in the year, Janie Wierenga, coordinator of Relay For Life, resigned, and David applied for the position.

“I considered applying for the position before Janie got the job, but it was not right for me at that time,” says David.

David has been involved in Cansa as a Relay For Life volunteer for six years as the master of ceremonies. He says there are different portfolios at Cansa and a person can volunteer for any one of them.

“These portfolios include logistics, and because I come from a building and maintenance background, that is where I felt needed,” he says.

As a Cansa Relay For Life coordinator, David will be responsible for all the Relay For Life events in the province.

“This includes the areas of Makhado, Polokwane, Tzaneen and Phalaborwa. I will also help out with other Cansa projects and I will still be the master of ceremonies for Relay For Life.”

David says he has plans for the future, but as Relay For Life is a franchise, he will have to follow the guidelines.

“What I am going to change is the fundraising. I’m going to incorporate more, smaller fundraisers and have team meetings where I will keep team members positive. That way they will keep their teams positive.”

Another project David mentioned is Bark For Life, where the community can bring their dogs, accompanied on a leach, and walk around a field.

David is happily married to Sharon and they have two sons, Conor (9) and Daniël (3).

“My mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer and this is how I got involved with Cansa. But I feel everybody has to do some volunteering somewhere. It is a way to give back.”

In his free time, David likes to spend time with his family and he is also an elder at his church.