Cancer survivors invited to join lap of honour

March 16, 2009

Cancer survivors and those who have cared for someone with cancer are invited to take part in a lap of honour during Relay For Life on March 28.

Relay for Life is a special fundraising event for Cancer Council WA in which teams lap the track at Perry Lakes for 24 hours. Around 170 teams of 10 to 15 people will take part in this year’s event.

The first lap of Relay For Life is dedicated to those who have experienced cancer and people who have cared for a loved one. Cancer survivors wear a red sash and carers wear a green one.

18-year-old cancer survivor George Oakley said the Survivor’s Walk was an uplifting and emotional experience.

“It’s an opportunity for people to celebrate on a personal level that they have faced cancer and have come out the other side.

“It’s also an opportunity to walk side by side with our loved ones who cared for us when we were sick and to celebrate being well,” George said.

George was just 15 when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005.

His fellow students at Wesley College in Como joined Relay For Life in George’s name.

Now George has joined the Relay For Life organising committee to encourage other cancer survivors to be part of this special event and will deliver the Relay For Life Oath.

“The first time I went to Relay I was in a wheel chair and was very,very sick. I am proud to say that the following year I was able to join my Wesley team mates on the track doing laps.

“We want as many survivors and carers as possible to join the walk so we can show there is hope after a cancer diagnosis and to inspire others that you can overcome this terrible disease,” George said.

The overall five-year survival rate for all cancers is around 60 per cent with survival rates for some of the most common cancers, including breast and prostate cancer and melanoma around 90%.

The Survivor’s Walk will take place at 3pm on Saturday March 28 at Perry Lakes Stadium. To participate in the walk you can call 1300 65 65 85 or you can register at Perry Lakes on the day from 2pm.

Participants do not have to be a registered Relay For Life team member and carers who have lost a loved one are welcome to take part.

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Media Contact:
Erin Broderick
043 999 0359