Latrobe Relay for Life looks set to smash the $1 million mark after 15 years of fundraising.
The annual Cancer Council fundraiser returns to the Valley this weekend at its new location at Tyers Recreation Reserve.
Event organiser Sue Van Heurck said $100,000 was needed to reach the $1 million milestone – an “absolutely huge” achievement, but fundraisers needed the community’s help.
“We really want everyone to come along and support Latrobe Relay for Life and the Cancer Council,” Ms Van Heurck said.
“It’s for all cancers; Cancer Council Victoria covers them all.”
The 18-hour relay kicks off with its opening ceremony at 3.45pm on Saturday, followed by the honorary lap for survivors and carers of cancer and afternoon tea.
“(The event) is a tough time for a person who has battled cancer but it’s also a tough time for carers, so we honour them too,” Ms Van Heurck said.
About 400 participants dressed up in costumes, colours and carrying signs will then take to the oval in the overnight relay event to bring awareness and funds to all types of cancer.
“It’s not (a) running (relay), the idea is that each team keeps a baton on the track for the entire relay,” Ms Van Heurck said.
“The baton represents cancer and the relay symbolises that a person has cancer all the time, day and night.
“It’s a soul searching emotional time, but a lot of fun things are happening as well.”
During the night participants will take part in activities to entertain, commemorate and keep motivated, including dress ups, a glow in the dark hour, scavenger hunts, quizzes and a Sunday morning newspaper ‘fashions on the field’.
The annual candlelight ceremony will be held about 8am on Sunday.
“It’s always a very special ceremony remembering who we’ve lost and celebrating those who are surviving cancer and have beaten this disease,” Ms Van Heurck said.
The relay will conclude with the closing ceremony about 10am on Sunday.
Ms Van Heurck said it was not too late to register to participate.
“I encourage everyone to come along and show their support and fight back against this disease in the hope of one day living in a cancer free world,” she said.
Latrobe Relay for Life will be held from 3.45pm Saturday to 10am Sunday at the Tyers Recreation Reserve, Main Road, Tyers.
People are able to register at the event for a cost of $25.
For more information, phone Sue Van Heurck on
0407 334 129.
