IF you haven’t already done so, it’s time to start putting together a team for the 2015 Shoalhaven Nowra Relay For Life just as committee member Cathy Lucas has with her team The Love Bears.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“My relationship with the Shoalhaven Nowra Relay for Life began back in 2004,” she said.
“My father, Cliff Stedfut, passed away from cancer in 2003. This was a hard year for us as while Dad was in the terminal stages of colon cancer my mum [Eileen] was diagnosed with breast cancer and so both of them were undergoing chemotherapy.
“In 2004 we first heard about Relay for Life and didn’t know much about it but decided it was something we wanted to do – both to remember Dad and to rejoice that Mum’s treatment had been successful. A bittersweet celebration but one I am glad we did together.
“Mum and I discussed it and decided we would like to put a team in again. However just as we were planning this we got the news that Mum’s cancer had returned and metastasised.
“In May of that year my mum lost her fight with cancer.
“My children were very eager to participate in Relay for Life in honour of their beloved Nana and we thought long and hard about a name for our team.
“When we attended our first team information night we met the gorgeous relay mascot Dougal bear and knew immediately that mum would have adored him so he became our team mascot and we instantly became The Love Bears.
“2015 will be the fourth year that The Love Bears join Relay for Life and my children, Kyle and Tasha, still proudly walk in memory of their nana and pop.
“The loss and the pain don’t go away but having the support of hundreds of other people is wonderful.”
Visit relayforlife.org.au and search for Shoalhaven Nowra and start your relay journey for the early bird price of $15 per person.
This early bird discount ends January 28 - from January 29 the registration fee increases to $20 per person.
The registration fee includes a free Relay for Life shirt and fund-raising kit in the mail plus a free breakfast at the event.
Phone Cancer Council on 4223 0200 if you have any questions about registering for relay.