The Relay for Life is a 24 hour event where the community comes together to show their support in the fight against cancer. It is a special day and night where the lives of cancer survivors is celebrated, those currently fighting the disease are given a new lease of hope and those lost are dearly remembered. It is a day where inspiration is spread from survivors to those battling the disease that one day the disease will be eliminated for good.
It is one of the fundamental fundraising events that the Irish Cancer Society holds to raise money and awareness towards the continuing research and services that they provide.
Cancer survivors are the guests of honour at these events and are asked to walk the first lap as a message of hope to all affected currently and in the past. On the day families and teams all participate and one member of each group will commit to always have at least one person walking the track at any given time.
The track is lined with candle bags of hope that family members, survivors, community members and anyone who has been touched in some way by the disease have purchased over the past few weeks from participating retailers. These bags are dedicated to someone affected by cancer with a message written inside. At sundown the candles are lighted and a moment of silence is held which serves as a moment of reflection to everyone present about the battle facing them. The candles reinforce the beacon of hope which the day is all about to everyone.
You can still register a team to participate in these events. A team costs €100 for ten members. The event will be taking place on the 13th of August at Curragh Racecourse. To find more information on the event or to register a team you can visit the Irish Cancer Society. To keep up to date with all the fundraising events by the Relay for Life Kildare team you can visit their Facebook page.
