A couple of hundred people would have been walking around the oval at Tyers Recreation Reserve this weekend, were it not for Covid-19. However the pandemic hasn’t totally wiped out the annual Latrobe Relay for Life. Not by a long shot.
Teams have still registered to take part and support Cancer Council Victoria, and team members will participate in some of the regular activities virtually. The normally 18 hour event of walking, fun and entertainment also has three important ceremonies, which committee chair Sue Van Heurck said will happen this year via Facebook.
“It’s a very unusual year so our Relay will be unusual as well,” said Sue.
“We’ll start our Relay at the usual time of 3.45pm on Saturday for a virtual opening ceremony. We’ll be welcoming all our Relayers, we’ve got the CEO of Cancer Council Victoria Todd Harper, and we’ll be encouraging people to join in.
“People can use their exercise time to pop their Relay for Life shirt on, go for a walk, take some photos and upload those to our Facebook page.
“On Saturday evening at 8:00 we’ll be holding our Candlelight Ceremony. This is always a special time for people to remember loved ones lost and also celebrate those who are survivors of cancer, and the great work that we’re doing now and looking forward to a future without cancer.
“While we won’t be at the oval dancing to music and enjoying fun activities, hopefully people will be doing that with us in spirit. They can then come back and join us at 10.30 on Sunday morning for the close of the 19th Latrobe Relay for Life,” said Sue.
Meanwhile, the teams have been busy raising money for Cancer Council Victoria. Despite Covid-19 quashing the oval event, twelve teams have still chosen to take part and raise money for Cancer Council Victoria.
Sue said that despite the pandemic, fundraising has gone well because people still want to fight cancer.
“It’s a different time and a tough time for so many people, with less jobs and not having money coming in, so we’re really proud of the way our teams are working and the support that people are giving.
“I’m quite sure that’s because Cancer Council Victoria does so much. They’re still supporting everyone who has a cancer diagnosis and their families, still putting as much money as possible into research and, although we’re living in a world of Covid-19, we’re still living in a world where people are diagnosed with cancer.
“We want to do all we can to eradicate that disease,” Sue said.
Follow it all on Facebook: Latrobe Relay for Life
Related story – 2019 event: Relay for Life is more than just a stroll in the park
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