Relay For Life set for March

The Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is coming to Pembroke Park, Wanaka on March 18-19 and the call is on people and teams to register. 

The Relay For Life event, which aims to ‘‘celebrate, remember, and fight back’’ against cancer is an inspiring and fun community event for people of all ages and fitness levels. 

During the 20 hours participants celebrate the lives of cancer survivors and carers, remember loved ones who have died, and empower people and communities to fight back against cancer. 

Event and Campaigns Co-ordinator, Nicole Rushbrook is excited to welcome participants who will camp out around a set track and walk (or run) in relay style for 20 hours from 3:00pm until 11:00am all to the backdrop of local entertainers and supporters. 

Team members can sleep in tents pitched in allocated team camp site around the relay perimeter allowing walkers and their families to be present all through the night.

Cancer Society’s marketing and fundraising manager, Jonet Warhurst said “we are thrilled that Mitre 10 MEGA Wanaka are again onboard as a Major Sponsor and MediaWorks plus Stonewood Homes are gold sponsors.  We couldn’t run these fundraising events without our valuable sponsors.  We are looking for local businesses who are keen to support as sponsors, prize donors or to provide services for the event and we need several enthusiastic volunteers to help throughout the event. These sponsors also allow us to offer prizes for the best themed teams and campsites.”  

The number of people supported by the Cancer Society in the Otago region has doubled in the past five years, and the Society needs to raise money to provide staff and services to assist and meet the increasing demand.

Andrew Thompson is Relay For Life’s Ambassador.  Andrew said “when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three years ago Shona Jarvis from the Cancer Society in Wanaka supported him and his wife.  Taking one day at a time has been a helpful approach to dealing with cancer after being told in 2020 he would be dead in a year.”

Relay For Life is a wonderful event for everyone to come together to celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer. 

• Teams can sign up by visiting the website or by contacting Nicole Rushbrook via email.
• People keen to volunteer on the day are invited to email Mary Davidson.
• Businesses interested in becoming event sponsors are invited to email Jonet Warhurst.

Main image (Supplied/Cancer Society):  The Relay For Life event aims to ‘‘celebrate, remember, and fight back’’ against cancer is an inspiring and fun community event for people of all ages and fitness levels.