Relay For Life is the biggest cancer fundraising initiative in the world and it is coming to Laois in 2022.
It sees local communities coming together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those we have lost and to fight back against cancer by raising awareness of the services provided by the Irish Cancer Society locally and nationally.
Relay is much more than a 24 hour fundraising event, it is an experience that gives hope and support to all who have been impacted by cancer. Relay For Life is a celebration of solidarity.
Relay for Life, which supports the Irish Cancer Society, will be coming to Laois for the first time in 2022 and those behind it are inviting the people of Laois to get involved by registering a team.
Anyone interested can enter teams; raising funds and awareness within their community for those impacted by cancer.
Relay for Life Laois will be hosted in the grounds of Emo Court House from 1pm Saturday July 23, 2022 to 1pm on Sunday July 24, 2022.
The event runs for a full 24-hours, to acknowledge that cancer does not sleep. The Relay is in solidarity with and to support anyone facing a cancer diagnosis.
Everyone is welcome to come along and join in for a few minutes, a few hours or indeed are welcome to stay for the entire 24 hours.
Even a few hours can make an extraordinary impact on the lives of those impacted by cancer, and once you get involved, you’ll want to come back year after year.
This event happens once a year and organisers ask for participants to join together for this fun and uplifting fundraiser.
An organiser said: “Relay For Life begins with a Survivor’s Lap, where cancer survivors from the community are invited to take part wearing a purple t-shirt.
“We celebrate them as the VIPs who provide hope and inspiration to the whole community in the fight against cancer. At Relay, we also celebrate caregivers, who give time, love, and support to their friends and family, facing cancer.
“As darkness falls, the Candle of Hope Ceremony takes place and we remember the people affected by cancer. Candle bags line the track.
“They are dedicated to someone lost to cancer or in celebration of a Survivor. Each candle represents a personal wish or thought.
“They remind the community that we will never forget the distress caused by cancer and that we will never let our determination to live in a cancer free world be diminished.
“Relay helps the community fight back against cancer. At Relay we fight back by supporting people in our community affected by cancer. We fight back by funding research.
“We fight back by funding vital services such as Night Nursing and the Volunteer Driver service. We fight back by encouraging the community to make lifestyle choices that will reduce their risk of cancer.”
If you would like to get involved in this event or to find out more information you can email laoisrelayforlife@gmail.com. You can also contact Caroline O’Sullivan on 087-4499903 or Alan Smith on 086-1222227 or check out their Facebook page.
The below link will direct you to the Irish Cancer Society’s website and further information and videos on Relay for Life.
