The generosity of the Newcastle community came to the fore recently, with Relay For Life raising in excess of $35,000 for a great cause.
Twenty-eight teams made up of more than 160 participants spent 15 hours walking or running around the circuit at the University of Newcastle to celebrate cancer survivorship, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the insidious disease.
Friends, families and colleagues raised money in the lead up to the event with people taking turns strolling around the track to signify that cancer never rests, so neither do they.
And, as a result of their fabulous collective efforts, they amassed $36,426 for the Cancer Council.
Newcastle Relay For Life Committee chair Brendan Lovett admitted it was a fantastic outcome.
“Thanks to our enthusiastic volunteers, we welcomed the return of the event for the first time since 2018 due to bushfires and COVID,” he said.
“So, it was a great success.
“Relay For Life is so important to many locals.
“For me personally, my grandfather had cancer and my father had cancer, so I have supported the Cancer Council over the years.
“Then in January 2011, returning from my honeymoon with my first wife, we found out she had melanoma.
“Three months later, we discovered she was pregnant with our only child together.
“She gave birth in December 2011 – nearly a few months early.
“We continued her fight with cancer until May 2014 when she passed away.
“Since then, our son and I have participated in the event in her memory.”
Underpinned by research, local lives have been changed by improvements in cancer prevention, screening and treatment over the past two decades.
“We’ve come a long way,” Mr Lovett said.
“But, statistics still show an estimated 134,000 new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in Australia this year.
“Every dollar raised will go towards funding the Cancer Council’s vital research, prevention and support programs, many of which help locals like myself.”
Plans for Relay for Life 2024 are already underway.
The Cancer Council is encouraging Newcastle and the Hunter region to be part of the movement.
For more details, visit www.relayforlife.org.au
Cancer in NSW
- It is estimated that in 2022 over 50,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in NSW alone – that’s over 140 per day
- Across NSW, it is estimated that up to 16,000 people will die in 2022 from cancer – that is about 44 people per day
Cancer in Australia
- Almost one in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85
- The number of new Australian cancer cases diagnosed over the period from 2020 to 2044 is projected to total more than 4.56 million
For more community stories:
- Fundraising appeal to help sick kids like Telarah’s Koby Adams
- Port Stephens mum seeks support to establish bereavement suite in every hospital
- Care runs deep throughout The Sista Circle
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