Cansa’s Relay For Life call for action

HOPE is the centrepiece emotion of the Cancer Association of South Africa’s (CANSA) drive to raise funds, garner support and generate a sense of community through participation when they host the third Relay for Life event on March 18, at Kemsley Park Sports Grounds.

The Association is also looking for volunteers, cancer survivors and teams for its Relay.

“Relay For Life is an awareness raiser about the progress against cancer as much as a way of raising much-needed funds” said Avril Smith, Relay for Life PE Chairman. “People who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event, as a volunteer, cancer survivor or participant, have made a commitment to fight back against this disease and let the community know we can reduce the impact of cancer.”

Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that engages communities throughout South Africa to celebrate survivors (anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones lost, commit to fight back through healthy lifestyle changes and raise money for the fight against cancer, added Smith.

The event consists of teams of 10 to 15 people spending up to 12 hours walking or running around a track. People gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in this inspiring international event and raise funds.

“As Relay is organised totally by local volunteers, teams seek sponsorship prior to Relay and are challenged to initiate their own fundraising efforts, all with the goal of eliminating cancer and raising funds,” said Smith.

Team members take turns walking or running around a track so that the team has at least one member on the track the entire time of the event.

“However much of the night is spent listening to music, entertainment, camping out, participating in a variety of family and cancer-awareness activities and most of all enjoying the company of friends, relatives, neighbours and co workers.”

Two highlights of every Relay are the Survivorship activities and the “Luminaria Ceremony” each acknowledging those who have been touched by cancer. Survivors are honoured and celebrated via special activities, including an opening Survivors Lap around the track and a heart warming Luminaria Ceremony.

“The theme for the event is: mission possible,” said Smith. “We truly endorse this. The human spirit is so powerful, whether we are fighting dis-ease, facing a challenge, or running a race, anything is possible.”

CANSA’s purpose is to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa and to save lives. It is the only organisation that focuses on adult and childhood cancer and support, plays a major role in funding cancer related research, and is an active watchdog advocating for change to protect all communities in South Africa from known carcinogens.

CANSA has more than 300 staff, 14 000 volunteers and 51 offices nation-wide. For more information visit www.cansa.org.za or contact CANSA toll-free on 0800 22 66 22. Those who want to know more about the event or want to enter, contact Relay For Life team leader Nettie Herselman on 072 352 9375 or 041 408 5221.