Relay for Life in Bendigo strides into its 20th year
Relay for Life strides into its 20th year
Theresa Jones has been coming to Bendigo Relay for Life for 19 years.
After her first year, she joined the committee and is now the chair for the Bendigo event.
Each year she is amazed at the community spirit on show at the walking relay.
"The first time I came, my daughter was in a team and she ran in the door and said 'we're walking for cancer'," Ms Jones said.
"When I got there I just loved it and haven't stopped since. My family has a history of cancer, I've lost a lot of friends and family to cancer. (Relay for Life) something that I'm always proud to take part in."
Now in its 20th year, Relay for Life got underway in Bendigo last night with 37 teams stepping out to fundraise for the Cancer Council.
"There's a lot of community spirit and it's a really great atmosphere. The people are really enjoying it, which is the main thing," Ms Jones said.
"We have 37 teams registered and about 500 people participating.
"Someone from each team is walking until 3pm Saturday."
The Survivors and Carers Walk, followed by the candlelight ceremony officially launched the event on Friday night.
"The candlelight ceremony is the emotional part," Ms Jones said.
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"You get to meet a lot of people who are going through or have gone through what you have. Everybody is equal and everybody has a story.
"The participation in that is a major part of Relay for Life."
There's a lot of community spirit and it's a really great atmosphere.
Theresa Jones
After dusk on Friday, candle bags are lit for survivors as well as friends and family who were lost to cancer.
"The candle bags are really beautiful," Ms Jones said.
"Last year we had team with young children who hadn't done it before and the lady with them couldn't believe the children were so interested in reading the bags and learning about the people on them.
"It was a real eye opener for those children."
Ms Jones hopes to see more new teams join the fundraiser each year.
"We have had a lot of new teams this year," she said.
"Some people have seen cancer in their family in the last 12 months and saw Relay for Life and wanted to take part.
"We have to thank everybody who takes part. We have generous sponsors that keep us going. We couldn't do it with out them."
Relay for Life Bendigo finishes at 3pm on Saturday at Backhaus Oval in Fir Street.
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