When Teresa Jones puts on her walking shoes this Friday night, she will be preparing to embark on her 17th Relay For Life, an event of huge personal importance.
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Mrs Jones, now chair of the local Relay For Life committee, has walked in the Bendigo event every year since its inception.
Mrs Jones first became involved in Relay For Life because her father died from cancer.
But over the years the personal significance of the event has only increased – Mrs Jones lost her husband to cancer, she saw friends experience cancer, and she herself has battled the disease.
This weekend’s event will be the 16th for her team, Team Justice, one of the longest-standing in the Bendigo event.
Her team of about 40 work colleagues and friends has already raised about $12,000 this year.
Joining Team Justice for the first time on the track are the Purple People Eaters, headed by Sue Holt.
Mrs Holt’s family has been deeply touched by cancer.
Cancer claimed the life of her mother when she was 17 and took her father when she was 21.
More recently her sister passed away from the illness, in December 2014, an event Mrs Holt said “completely rocked her world”.
It was this loss that prompted her to do the thing she had long wanted to do, and sign up for Relay For Life.
Her nephew is also fighting cancer, another incident that has hit home for Mrs Holt.
Joining her at the weekend will be her niece and daughter of her late sister, Alice Knight, and some of their close friends.
One of those friends is also a survivor of cancer.
“I’m honoured to have her walking with me,” Mrs Holt said.
Sixty-seven teams comprised of 882 people will walk at the La Trobe University Bendigo Athletics Complex in Flora Hill to raise money for the Cancer Council.
The event also honours those who have died from cancer, celebrates the survivors and recognises the carers and loved ones who have supported them.
As of yesterday afternoon, the Bendigo participants have raised almost $86,500 towards their $180,000 goal.
Just under $3 million has been raised over the course of the previous 16 years in Bendigo alone.
The Australian Breakthrough Cancer Study group, which is investigating the causes of cancer, will attend the Bendigo event for the first time.
There is still a chance to participate, for those who have not yet joined a team: registrations can be made on the night until 6.30pm.
Survivors and carers are also invited to join the opening lap of the track.
Visitors are also welcome to attend and cheer on the walkers, by giving a gold coin donation.
