This October community members across the Parkes region are invited to come together at the sixth Parkes and District Relay for Life. The event, held over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd October, is a time to remember loved ones, celebrate survival and fight back against cancer. Participants will give back in honour of their own personal cancer journey by walking or running continuous laps of a track as part of a relay team of 10–15 people. Cancer doesn’t sleep, and in recognition of that simple fact, the teams camp out around the relay track for the overnight experience, with one member from each team encouraged to be on the track at all times.
For those not busy walking there is food, games and activities to provide entertainment and build camaraderie. In the Western NSW Region alone, it is predicted that by the end of 2016 over 1,818 people will be diagnosed with cancer, with over 582 deaths expected. Relay for Life gives the opportunity for close-knit communities to come together, walk for hope and give back in honour of all those in their area affected by cancer.
This year Relay for Life hopes to raise $6.9million through events across NSW. Since the inaugural event in 2006, Parkes has raised a massive $240,685. Relay for Life fundraising helps Cancer Council NSW fund vital cancer research that will improve treatment and diagnosis for cancer patients across Australia. It also provides funds for support programs that connect patients and carers around the country as well as advocacy initiatives and prevention programs that help reduce the risk of cancer in our communities.
With around 200 relays being held annually across Australia, Cancer Council’s Relay for Life ranks third globally amongst the 24 relay nations, putting the event at the forefront of the global fight against cancer. To register a team for your local Relay for Life event, or to donate, visit: www.relayforlife.com.au