On Sunday 13 kayakers will set off on the Yukon River with one goal in mind – to raise money for cancer.

Kayak for a Cure will be held in the Yukon for the first time, following in the footsteps of major cities around Canada and the U.S.

Kayak for a Cure began five years ago in Vancouver by two brothers who wanted to honour their grandmother.

The Yukon edition was started by Judy Ratcliffe, who was inspired after seeing a news clip of the event. Ratcliffe then attended the funerals of two colleagues in their 50s who had passed away from cancer, and decided she had to do something.

Along with her three member committee, Tracy Pittman and Geana Hadley, Ratcliffe has brought the event to Whitehorse.

"They've helped me immensely,” Ratcliffe said of her teammates.

For the inaugural year, 12 paddlers are signed up, and the group will leave from the Rotary Park boat launch at 1 p.m. Sunday. Registration will begin at noon.

They will paddle to the Takhini Bridge, an approximately 18-kilometre course that should take about two hours.

A barbecue will follow the paddle at the Robert Service Campground, and transportation will be provided once the course is finished.

Ratcliffe said the Yukon's edition is early for Kayak for a Cure.

"Most of the cities do it in August,” she said.

The date was moved up for Whitehorse because it worked better for their key sponsors, Up North Adventures who are contributing the use of kayaks for anyone who does not have their own.

Ratcliffe said this year will be a test, and they will take notes and build on the event next year. Already she says they hope to start the planning earlier to encourage more sponsors.

"This is our learning year, and we're hoping to carry is on,” she said.

Ratcliffe said the event is to honour those battling the disease, and those who have passed from it.

"To be healthy, it's a good thing to do (this) for those with cancer,” she said. "It just makes you appreciate your own good health.”

The participants will be wearing bibs which they can customize with the names of those they are paddling for.

Kayak for a Cure falls on a busy weekend for cancer fund-raisers; the Relay for Life is on Saturday as well, but Ratcliffe said the event has helped.

"The Relay for Life was really good, we got some advertising through them,” she said.

Ratcliffe said the goal is to raise $10,000, but the number will most likely be closer to $8,000.

As of this morning, the Yukon event's website, www.kayakforacure.org/yukon/, has raised nearly $4,000. Ratcliffe said she also has some cash donations and has not heard any reports from participants who have been out in the community pledging.

Donations can also be made via the website, and each paddler has received a page to solicit donations.

"We don't know how much people are going to bring in online,” Ratcliffe said.

Of the money raised, 100 per cent will go to the Canadian Cancer Society for cancer research and support, and Ratcliffe adds that the money is earmarked for Yukon cancer patients.

Anyone interested can still sign up to participate by visiting the website or by calling Ratcliffe at 633-4810. The cost is $25 per paddler.

"I think it's going to be a fun fund-raiser,” Ratcliffe said.