Relayers give us hope

ON BEHALF of Cancer Council Victoria, I would like to sincerely thank the community of Casey for supporting the recent Casey Relay for Life.
More than 3850 participants in more than 100 teams relayed on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 March, walking overnight to show that hope lives in Casey for those experiencing cancer.
During the overnight relay there was laughter, tears and, no doubt, a few sore feet.
But the strength shown by local Casey community members was a public display of support for anyone in the City of Casey with a cancer experience.
So far over $330,000 has been raised by Casey relayers which will help ensure Cancer Council Victoria’s support, prevention and research programs continue.
The money raised at Casey Relay for Life will help Cancer Council Victoria continue to provide programs including:
– Funding some of Victoria’s brightest researchers and their cutting-edge projects each year to help detect, treat and beat cancer.
– Important prevention programs like PapScreen Victoria, Quit and SunSmart to make sure people have all the information they need to cut their risk of cancer. A particular focus this year is on improving bowel screening rates, with the latest statistic showing that only 32.8 per cent of eligible people in the City of Casey participate. We recommend bowel screening every two years between the ages of 50 and 74.
– Support services including a pro-bono legal assistance service to help those affected by cancer who may be struggling with issues such as wills, early access to superannuation, debt matters or returning to work.
– Our information and support line, Cancer Council 13 11 20, where qualified cancer nurses give people information and support.
– Our Living with Cancer Education Program, which provides information for people experiencing cancer, facilitated by trained health professionals.
Thank you again to everyone who relayed and helped continue the fight against cancer.
Hope lives in every step we take. Hope lives in Relay for Life.
Todd Harper,
CEO, Cancer Council Victoria.