Just under 300 people put their walking shoes on for cancer on Saturday as Gunnedah staged its Relay for Life.
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The Cancer Council’s Shaen Fraser said while the event was fairly small, funds were continuing to rise and it was hoped the total would hit $20,000.
“It’s not too late if someone wants to have a fund-raiser to add to that total,” Ms Fraser, the accommodation and support service co-ordinator at Inala House in Tamworth said.
“We would also like to encourage people to bank the money they have raised.”
The event was opened by Gunnedah Shire mayor Owen Hasler who paid tribute to his neighbour Bev Hickman, who has battled two forms of cancer.
Mrs Hickman and Val Ferguson, who was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago, were among those who led the survivor and carers’ walk for the first lap of the relay.
Cr Hasler said he lost his brother to cancer three years ago.
“It [cancer] is very much prevalent amongst us,” he said.
“It is only through a day like today that we will understand more about what we need to do to confront this illness.”
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said at the opening of the relay the people at the event were working towards making a difference.
“Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer in some shape or form,” he said.
“I am basically calling this a wake up, Australia – wake up about getting checked.
“Blokes especially, don’t put it off, get it checked every year. It takes about half an hour and who knows, it might save your life.
“What we have got to do is stand up and advocate for change and say we are going to make a difference.”
Cancer survivor Ron Murray, who cut the ribbon for the relay, said his doctor had told him he had cancer three-and-a-half years ago.
“From that point on, I was a cancer survivor,” Mr Murray said.
He said he had sought advice from the Cancer Council and found it to be “one of the greatest organisations” he had ever dealt with.
Music, food, coffee and other entertainment kept the walkers going as they lapped Kitchener Park between 9am and 9pm.
Much-needed heavy rain in the afternoon failed to put a dampener on the event, with umbrellas going up and people continuing to plod through the mud.
“Unfortunately, cancer does not stop when it rains so the dedicated relayers keep on walking in the fight against cancer,” Ms Fraser said.
“Well done everyone who registered and participated in the 2016 Gunnedah Relay for Life.”
Those who remained lit candles to those who have and are still battling cancer, with messages of hope and remembrance.
The crowd gathered in the dark for the remembrance ceremony to watch a slideshow featuring the faces of loved ones.
Ms Fraser told the crowd the Cancer Council would continue to work towards funding about $14 million to fight cancer each year.
“We can’t do it on our own, it’s a community effort,” she said.
“But together, we can beat cancer.”
The remembrance ceremony was followed by a lap of silence.
Ms Fraser said the Cancer Council would work towards another Relay for Life in Gunnedah in about two years’ time.