Relay For Life 12-hr walk raises $45,000
Chelley Leov finished radiation for breast cancer a week before cutting the purple ribbon to open Relay For Life.
Saturday’s fundraiser marked a significant time in the Geraldine woman’s cancer fight – as she was diagnosed with the condition a week after acting as master of ceremonies for the annual event last year.
More than 350 people from 28 teams took turns walking a 12-hour, 400m loop of Caroline Bay and raised $45,000 for Cancer Society South Canterbury from 10am-10pm at the weekend.
‘‘I knew even before I had to deal with them on a personal level they were an amazing group of people,’’ Leov said.
"You’re in your most vulnerable position, and they’re beside you all the way. We’re just so lucky to have them.’’
Leov joined her fellow survivors in the opening lap of
the relay. ‘‘I was there in a supportive role,’’ she said.
‘‘It was an incredibly personal day, not just for me but for my family.’’
She said ‘‘the real Catch-22’’ of the survivors’ lap was, while it was great that so many had conquered their diagnosis, it was evidence the disease was growing.
She was impressed to see a range of people supporting the charity and taking part in the walk, from ‘‘enthusiastic teenagers’’ to older people using walking frames.
‘‘You’re just absolutely in awe of everybody involved.’’
Cancer Society South Canterbury manager Leola Smith said Leov’s story showed ‘‘you don’t really know what’s round the corner’’, as it was during a routine mammogram that the cancer was spotted.
The charity had received 15 new referrals since March 1, Smith said.
‘‘It [the money raised] enables us to still provide free service.
‘‘It’s stressful enough having cancer, so cost is one burden that we can take off people.’’
Providing accommodation, petrol, beanies to disguise hair loss, and support staff were just some of the ways the charity could help, she said.
With team numbers dropping from last year’s 41, Smith would be debriefing with staff and the relay committee to decide the event’s future.
‘‘I see the relay continuing on, but it may just not continue in the same form.’’
Waimate was already locked in as the location for the 2020 relay, she said.
Cancer Society South Canterbury staff fundraiser Michelle Robertson said the event offered people a safe environment to grieve, surrounded by those with similar experiences.
‘‘It’s really quite powerful.’’