CLARE Relay for Life takes place this Saturday at Tim Smythe Park in the Fairgreen, raising vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
Committee member Lorraine White says the organisation and its supports were a massive benefit to her during her cancer journey.
First diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, Lorraine found treatment during lockdown to be a lonely and isolating experience before attending a tree planting ceremony by the organisation in 2021.
“I felt very alone during that time. Once I turned up to the planting of the trees ceremony, I felt I wasn’t alone. I felt that this was going to be my community going forward. From then on, I came along to the Relay for Life as a survivor and 2 years ago then I joined the committee”, Lorraine explains.
The Ruan woman says the sense of cohesion and community was hugely beneficial to her.
“All of a sudden you’re not alone. Although your friends and your family are around you and supporting you, it’s only those who have gone through it that can fully understand it. If someone mentions a particular kind of treatment you’re going through, a certain kind of chemotherapy, losing your hair, you’re talking in our language”, she continues.
Relay for Life is the biggest cancer fundraising initiative across the world.
It sees communities across the globe coming together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and stand shoulder to shoulder with those facing cancer. The solidarity shown helps to raise awareness of the services provided by the Irish Cancer Society locally and nationally.
In the 24 hour event, teams join together to walk through the day and night.
Members of teams take it in turns to walk a designated distance or time, with someone from the team being on the move at all times.
The initiative has a number of services available to both survivors and cancer patients at every stage of their diagnosis, as Lorraine points out.
“We have nurses that you can speak to, councillors, therapy, reflexologies, massages, lymphatic drainage, everything that’s associated with recovery after treatment”, she highlights.
Mental as well as physical health is key to a successful recovery from cancer, something which Lorraine stresses when discussing the journey.
“No one ever asks for this disease to come into your life. When you speak to a professional, you realise that they’re a professional for a reason and they know what they’re doing. You’re getting that bit of ease and settlement around what’s happening to you and they’re always at the end of the phone, which is fantastic”, the Ruan woman adds.
White says there’s no reason why people shouldn’t get involved in this year’s event.
“It’s a lovely community. We’re here and we’re together. It’s such a benefit opening ceremony for the purple t-shirts (cancer survivors) starts at 2pm and it’s a celebration of life. Your family and friends come along and that’s how they can support you, through donations or setting up a stall or doing a bit of music”.
Lorraine is focusing on doing the photography and videography at this year’s Relay, helping to raise awareness and the Irish Cancer Society’s profile on social media.
She says the event takes a lot of organisation but the level of engagement from the local community has been amazing.
“It just seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Yesterday I went into a local florist for a purple ribbon and when they heard it was for the Cancer Society, they made a donation straightaway”.
The breast cancer survivor is full of encouragement for those facing a diagnosis, asking patients to “Be ok about it. You’re not alone, these are your people”.
A biking enthusiast, Lorraine reached out to the biking community for last year’s Relay asking for 10 or 15 bikes to do a lap of the Fairgreen.
“When I went down to the Maxol garage that morning to meet the bikers, there were almost 100 there. I nearly fell off the bike with shock. I was very emotional because these people came out for me. This year, before I got a chance to ask them, they came to me and asked if they could come along. This year there’s over 200 bikes coming. That causes conversation and creates awareness”, she adds.
With over €11,000 raised so far, Clare Relay for Life organisers are encouraging people to continue making donations as well as turn up for the 24 hour event on Saturday where they can enjoy live music, entertainment and activities.
