Relay for cancer

By Casey Neill
MOUNT Evelyn will do its bit for cancer awareness and research this weekend when it hosts the regional fundraising event Relay For Life.
More than 20 teams will each keep a baton moving around the Morrison Reserve track throughout the night from 7 to 8 November.
Money raised from Relay For Life helps the Cancer Council find new ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer, educate people on ways to reduce their cancer risk, and support people battling the disease.
Montrose mother Natalie Jones has been involved since the first relay in the area after a friend lost her mother to cancer.
“I thought it was a great way to raise awareness and also money for the cause,” she said. “And it’s a lot of fun.” Ms Jones was confident her team, Movers and Shakers, had what it takes to keep their baton moving.
“We’ll be right. It’s nothing compared to what a lot of people have to go through with treatment,” she said.
Pembroke Secondary College students Emily Carter and Emily Slaney, both 15, have helped organise the event. Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan lost his father and sister-in-law to cancer, and is a regular participant.
“We just need to raise as much money as we can to continue research because cancer hits everybody’s family,” he said.
Lilydale’s Kylie Steiner is tackling the walk for the first time with her team Mumtourage.
“It’s mums and their entourage – all the support people that make it possible for mums to do what they have to do,” she said.
“We want our kids to grow up in a world without cancer.
“I don’t want cancer to be insurmountable. I want to do something to make a difference.”
The relay is an opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to the disease and raise cash to fight back.
The event includes a lap for all carers and survivors, even those not in a team, after the opening ceremony at 3.45pm on the Saturday.
For a small donation, people can light a candle for a loved one living with cancer or in memory of someone lost to the disease. The relay features on-stage entertainment and colourful team costumes and campsites.
The closing ceremony will be held at 10am on Sunday.
Call Judi Buhagiar on 0407 566 971.