Thousands of Penrith residents are expected to gather at the Paceway later this month to raise funds for the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life.
With a fundraising goal of $100,000, those volunteering and participating will be doing laps on Saturday, October 26.
“Penrith Relay for Life is about raising awareness for cancer, people affected by cancer, raising funds and just getting together to also remember those who have lost their lives, those who are still going through cancer and to also celebrate our carers, the people who are really important for anyone who is going through cancer,” said Chair of the Penrith Relay for Life and Cancer Council NSW Ambassador, Chris Planer.
“It is a 12-hour event where people just do laps of the circuit all in the name of raising funds for cancer.”
Planer said the $100,000 fundraising goal will provide support to those going through cancer treatments.
“Everyone is affected by cancer,” Planer said.
“The fact of the matter is one in two Australians before the age of 85 will be diagnosed with cancer and then there is evidence around there that one in three people actually know somebody who has gone through cancer or have gone through cancer themselves.
“They say around about three out of every 10 deaths are attributable to cancer or related to cancer so it is really important that the community gets behind it because getting behind it allows Cancer Council to provide things like financial support, practical services in some of our regional areas around transport and accommodation for treatment and things like that. More importantly it gives us the opportunity to provide information and support around types of cancer, how to deal with the everlasting effects of cancer – just because you survive it doesn’t mean that it just goes away.
“The physical part of cancer is one thing but a lot of people, myself included as a survivor, go through a really tough period mentally and people underestimate how difficult that can be. So, support services around that like counselling, online forums, access to support when people need to get things off their chest and to just direct them to the right channels of support.”
The event is set to be a good day with lots on the agenda to get people of all ages involved, according to Planer.
“I think it is really important that we let people know how fun the event is,” Planer said.
“We have entertainment and bands all day, we have things for the kids like a box car rally where they get to design their own car out of a cardboard box and then they have a race.
“We have a beautiful survivors and carers morning tea for us to remember those we’ve lost but also to acknowledge the role that carers play in people affected by cancer.
“Then we have the most significant or special moment of the event and that’s the Hope Ceremony, that’s where we do a big lap in darkness with just a flashlight, and we remember those that we have lost to cancer… it’s a really touching moment.
“It should a carnival like atmosphere, lots of food trucks with lots happening and we just encourage people to pop down and get involved.”
If you want to get involved this year or donate visit http://www.relayforlife.org.au/event/penrith-2024.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.