Run for your life
Cancer Council calls on Queenslanders to be part of the 2018 Relay For Life
BETWEEN this month and November Cancer Council Queensland’s largest annual fundraising event, Relay For Life is taking place to raise vital funds for cancer research and support services for those affected.
Cancer Council Queensland’s executive officer Chris McMillan says it’s the charity’s vision this year to support Queenslanders affected by cancer every minute, every hour, every day – and this can be made possible through Relay For Life.
"The 18-hour event brings communities together, united by their goal of giving hope to locals affected by cancer," Ms McMillan says.
From Cairns to the Gold Coast, 40 Relay For Life events are taking place and communities are being urged to get involved by registering a team.
The 18-hour event involves teams of up to 15 people keeping a baton moving in a relaystyle walk or run overnight. Teams also take part in inspirational ceremonies, fundraising activities and challenges, supporting each other and sharing stories of hope.
Zalee Bates, 48, was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. She had an elective double mastectomy and reconstruction to prevent the chance of a reoccurrence, and has been taking part in Relay for the past two years after losing both her mother and aunty to cancer.
"Mum believed that by sharing your stories you could potentially remove the fear for other sufferers and so that’s why Relay, and highlighting the importance of screening through my own story, means so much to me," Zalee says.
Join Zalee and the thousands of other Queenslanders in their quest to support cancer survivors and raise awareness by being a part of Relay For Life.
Get your friends, family, community groups, colleagues or school mates together, make a team and register at relayforlife.org.au or phone 1300 65 65 85.
For more information, head to cancerqld.org.au.
‘‘ MUM BELIEVED THAT BY SHARING YOUR STORIES YOU COULD POTENTIALLY REMOVE THE FEAR FOR OTHER SUFFERERS AND SO THAT’S WHY RELAY... MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. ZALEE BATES