Men Fighting Back Against Cancer Will Walk 100km

21st March 2012

Men Committed to Fighting Back Against Cancer Will Walk 100ks this Weekend

This Saturday Dennis Papa and Stephen Binz will be setting off to walk 100ks each at the Cancer Society, Relay For Life event held at Kumeu Showgrounds.

“These men are truly inspirational, they are not only supporting their teams at Relay For Life’ but they are going the extra mile, to show their commitment to the Cancer Society. Funds raised at Relay For Life help us continue to provide support into the local communities, fund critical Cancer Research and continue to work towards a world with less cancer”.

This Sat thousands of people will be taking strides against cancer at an annual Relay For Life event being held at the Kumeu Showgrounds. Relay is a chance for the community to Fight Back against cancer, Celebrate with a ‘Survivor Lap’ and also Remember loved ones lost during a beautiful Candle Light Ceremony.

“I want to invite people to come along and experience Relay, for the candle-light ceremony, the survivor lap or to see the live entertainment– everyone is welcome. There will also be lots of family fun and live music, including fun covers bands, brass bands and Brazilian dancing.

“You don’t need to be a marathon runner; you can do 1 or 100 laps, you just need to make sure that you have a team spirit and someone to keep the batten moving.”

“Cancer touches 1 in 3 New Zealanders so unfortunately most of us know someone who has been affected. Whether it is a close friend, whanau or a colleague, Relay is a time to acknowledge those who have been through cancer”.

About Relay For Life:

The event starts at 4pm this Saturday 24th March and will go through until 10am on Sunday 25th March.

Relay For Life is made up of teams of work colleagues, school groups, family and friends who take strides to raise funds in support of those with cancer. The event includes music, camping-out, a candlelit ceremony, food, family fun and the on-going relay.

In 2010 over 210 teams took strides against cancer and raised over half a million dollars to help the Cancer Society continue their work in local communities. Work such as cancer liaison nurses, counsellors and the 0800 information help line as well as cancer research. Find out more at www.relayforlife.org.nz

The theme for Relay For Life is ‘Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back’:

Celebrate and acknowledge cancer survivors and the hope they bring to others

Remember loved ones lost to cancer

Fight Back against the disease that takes so much

Key Facts about the Cancer Society:

• In New Zealand 55 people a day are diagnosed with cancer
• 1 in 3 New Zealanders will be affected by cancer
• Each year approximately 20,000 people are diagnosed with cancer and around 8000 die as a result of cancer
• The Cancer Society is a non-government organisation dedicated to reducing the incidence and impact of cancer in the community through support, information, research and health promotion

WHERE DOES THE MONEY RAISED GO?

The valuable funds raised by Relay For Life will help the Cancer Society to continue to provide core services including:

Contributing $2.5 million a year towards research into cancer causes and treatment. The Cancer Society is proud to support the work of the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, a world leading anti-cancer drug development laboratory which has brought eight new drugs to clinical trial to date.

Providing free support services for people affected by cancer including home visits from liaison nurses, counselling, support groups, transport to treatment, a Cancer Information Helpline, meals, accommodation for patients having to travel for treatment and information about cancer

Health promotion initiatives to reduce the risk of certain cancers by leading policy and environmental change through partnerships and advocacy to make the places where you work, live and play healthier.

For more information about Relay For Life visit www.relayforlife.org.nz

ENDS

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