Cancer Council NSW Relay For Life committee chair Leanne Thompson is getting ready for the annual Relay For Life walk that celebrates cancer survivors, remembers those lost, and fights back against the disease by raising funds.

The Relay For Life is an 18-hour symbolic walk that takes place overnight, from March 28-29 at Southern Cross University. 

“Cancer is with the patient every step of the day - it won’t rest, so we won’t either," Leanne said.

“The walking is a symbolic gesture – you don’t have to walk the whole time.

"It recognises that many people in our community deal with cancer – from patients to carers, children and loved ones who also deal with it. 

“There is no training required – it’s not a fitness challenge.

“You can sign up as an individual, or get a team and create a team name – or you can just get together with like-minded people during the event and celebrate and commemorate the amazing people we have in our community. It’s not an experience that you can get anywhere else.

“If you come alone, you can decide to join the Friends of Relay team and walk with them.

“People who have lost someone dear to them often raise funds before the event by holding workplace morning teas or plan trivia nights, movie nights or lamington drives. 

“All of the funds raised go to the Cancer Council and we use the money locally. We provide a lot of services like the St Vincent Hospital service that provides free transport to treatment for people. 

Participants in last year's Relay for Life.

“Lismore is highest referrer of people diagnosed with cancer to a free service that offers them free financial and legal advice.”

The Relay for Life is a global movement, and there are more than 5000 relays being held across the world in 26 different countries - attracting more than 4 million participants annually. 

Leanne said the Lismore event begins on Saturday afternoon with a 3pm opening ceremony, followed by a first lap performed by survivors and carers.

 “Not everyone on cancer journey can identify as a survivor, so we added an extra category for Lismore – for people who are still living with cancer,” she said.

“There will be tents set up where teams can sell raffle tickets to raise money too and often teams dress up in their own theme, like ‘clowns for a cure’.

“The rest of the event is like a festival, with food trucks, entertainment and a kids’ zone.

“At 6.30pm we have a hope ceremony and stop for 30 minutes and remember people we have lost with music, poems and photos.

“Then we have a lap of silence in the dark and we party into the evening with a DJ and band until 12pm, followed by movies and music, until breakfast at 9am and a closing ceremony.

“Some people make personal pledges to walk all night and some people do a few laps in the morning – it’s up to you how long you walk for.” 

“We encourage teams and participants to hold fundraising events in the lead up to the event to help us reach our $100,000 fund raising target.

“You can get our fundraising kit and get ideas about how you can raise money for the event.

“You can also sell raffle tickets in our major raffle for 2020 – first prize is a Toyota Yaris.”

If you are keen to get involved, Leanne said you can sign up right up until the day.

It costs $25 per person to register and each participant receives a free event tshirt.

For more information, or to register, visit http://www.cancercouncil.org.au/lismorerelay or Facebook.