Whether it’s one person’s pie drive or big bucks from business, the Border’s Relay For Life is a testament to the power of the people.

It’s a cause clearly close to the hearts of Border residents, who last year raised a record-breaking $460,000 at the 24-hour event involving 3100 participants.

Event chairman Carl Friedlieb says there is one resounding reason Relay For Life has become a permanent fixture on Albury-Wodonga’s event calendar.

Community.

A community committed to a cause that leaves very few lives untouched.

Cancer.

The disease that doesn’t discriminate and for which there is yet no cure.

And, since humble beginnings at the Albury Showgrounds in 2002, Border Relay For Life has brought together this community to raise awareness of the disease, to raise funds to fight it and, most importantly, to raise the hopes of those affected.

For Mr Friedlieb, who is entering his fifth year as event chairman, the flame of hope still burns brightly and is what drives the organising committee to help participants go bigger and better in their fund-raising efforts.

He says he does not know of any other event that gets the community together for 24 hours in such a united show of strength and support.

Much like the cancer journey itself, the relay is a roller-coaster ride of emotions.

“There are good times and bad times in the cancer journey,” Mr Friedlieb says.

“Cancer is an incredibly long haul and Relay For Life symbolises that journey.

“People often ask us if it rains, do we stop the event but cancer does not stop for the rain — so rain, hail or shine we relay.”

Mr Friedlieb says it is hard to explain, to pinpoint exactly, why Relay For Life resonates so strongly with residents — until you go that is.

“To see people trudging and trudging all through the night, doing lap after lap, and no one is forcing them,” he begins.

“To sit with people on uncomfortable chairs or beds, for 12 hours; to have amazing conversations as you walk at 4am ...

“To hear the eerie sound of the bagpipes and to see images of loved ones flash on the big screen ...

“How do you explain seeing the jubilation of the survivors and their carers or the tears of those walking without someone?

“To capture those moments is almost impossible.”

But Mr Friedlieb is quick to point out that Relay For Life is, at its heart, a celebration.

“It’s a chance for family and friends to just ‘be’ together and to have some fun while remembering and reflecting,” he says.

And there is certainly plenty of fun to be had, whether fund-raising or during the weekend itself.

In between the sombre ceremonies are men in short skirts, stockings and high heels parading for the Miss Relay Pageant or kids licking ice-creams and screaming with delight on jumping castles in the VitaSoy Kids Zone.

Mr Friedlieb loves it all and says coming up with wacky ideas to re-invigorate the event and help teams fund-raise is one of the main goals of the committee.

But he says you can have the fanciest launch, the best raffles, great team information sessions, the best food and entertainment but if the event wasn’t supported by the local community, it wouldn’t survive.

“We have can-do people on the committee and businesses that say ‘yes’ rather than ‘no’; without that, the event wouldn’t be a possibility,” he says.

“I see our role as giving the teams the tools to make money,” he says.

“Whether it’s pie drives, garage sales, lollies or donations from our sponsors, it all equals dollars.”

And the dollars are dazzling.

Border Relay For Life has raised $2.25 million for the Cancer Council in the past 12 years.

One of the attractions of relay fund-raising efforts is that money flows directly back into the local community (see panel on next page), including a major $300,000-plus investment in the Hilltop Carers Accommodation Centre.

Surprisingly, perhaps, that is not what motivates Mr Friedlieb.

While he’s delighted to see significant contribution into the local community, funding research for a cure is his ultimate aim.

“For me personally, as much as we want local support, we want a cure,” he says.

“The Cancer Council is investing in worldwide research programs and we need that because as well as supporting those with cancer, I would prefer people not have to fight it at all.”

Mr Friedlieb acknowledges there are many worthy causes that deserve dollars but at the same time says the Cancer Council is one of the most trusted not-for-profit organisations in Australia with 96 per cent of funding coming from the community.

Last year alone the NSW Cancer Council invested more than $15 million in research into cancer prevention, treatment and management.

Given cancer is the second biggest killer in Australia, Mr Friedlieb says that’s a million and more reasons to keep up the fight close to home.

Each year when he watches survivors of cancer walk that first lap, he is reminded why he is still so motivated to keep investing his time and energy into Border Relay For Life. 

And as he watches bleary-eyed participants walking through the night, sometimes in silence but always in comfortable camaraderie, he knows this community feels the same way. That there will be no rest while cancer does not sleep.

• Registrations are still open to enter at relayforlife.org.au and at the event.

JENNA Ferguson says she is not “smart enough” to find a cure so being part of Relay For Life is her way of making a difference to the lives of those affected by cancer.

From the very young to the very old, she has seen first-hand the cruelty of a disease that does not discriminate and that is what drives her fund-raising efforts each year. As the beauty advisor at Priceline Albury, Ms Ferguson is also involved in the Look Good Feel Better program and this year will host a workshop to boost the confidence and well-being of local people with cancer.

Why do you get involved in Relay For Life?

In 2007 the niece of a guy I was dating was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of five. I was close to her and when she took a turn for the worse I did some bits and pieces fund-raising around town to help out her parents who gave up their jobs while she underwent treatment at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. She passed away in 2009 and the very same day my grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer from skin melanomas he developed fighting in Vietnam. The cancer spread to his liver and brain and in six months he was gone.

Before he passed away (the week before Christmas 2009), some friends mentioned Relay For Life and I went for a couple of hours. I found it was such a positive and happy event for something so cruel that I have been involved ever since.

What is the most powerful aspect of the event for you?

The Hope ceremony is amazing; in a way it’s the worst part but it’s also the best part of the relay. You hear stories from survivors and I think there is the realisation you are not going through this experience alone. This year I’m really excited to be part of the Look Good Feel Better program, which Priceline sponsors; I am not smart enough to cure cancer but I can help make people look and feel better.

What do you think other people get out of participating in Relay For Life?

Everybody knows of someone who has passed away, is fighting cancer or who has beaten it. Doing the laps is hard work but to see the community gather together to share stories and united by the same purpose is inspiring. Last year we had a couple of people join the team who had not done Relay For Life before. They had such an amazing time they readily signed up again this year.

YEAR 11 students at Trinity College have raised more than $42,000 for Relay For Life since 2009.

But these young people get as much out of the event as they give back, according to Trinity head of senior school Malcolm Thomas.

What started as an initiative of one student has grown to become an integral part of the year 11 pastoral care program in term 3.

And every year, each year 11 group vows to beat previous fund-raising efforts.

That competitive spirit for a compassionate cause has not only delivered a significant boost to Cancer Council coffers but helped shape young leaders of the future, Mr Thomas says.

Why did you get involved in Relay For Life? 

I had not previously been involved until a student from one of our pastoral groups decided to take part and students really embraced it and did everything that first year. After talking with our principal, we decided it would be a great community event to be part of as every year families at the college are touched by cancer. It fits really well as a year 11 activity because it is a time when these students are taking on a leadership role as our year 12s go into exams and finish up. I am team captain but I really don’t have to do anything — the students do absolutely everything and the project drives itself. 

What is the most powerful aspect of the event for you?

This is a lovely community event to be a part of. Many of our students might initially get on board because it’s a fun activity but don’t realise what it’s all about. When they attend the Hope Ceremony and hear the cancer survivors talk, it really hits home and makes them feel part of the wider community.

What do students get out of participating in this event?

The students really bond as a school group but as individuals it gives them the opportunity to be leaders and to look beyond themselves. They gain so much from the experience and, when given an opportunity to really do something, wow there can be a huge change in the students as they take on board fund-raising and sponsorship projects. It’s totally voluntary but if students do want to get involved we say they must raise at least $50. In 2013 the year 11s raised $13,400 and this year our group is smaller but they are keen to come close to that target. I am pretty proud of it all.

OCTOBER holds a very powerful place in the heart of Nicole Koevoets.

Every year she clears the calendar to mark the anniversary of her mother’s death and escalates her fund-raising efforts into overdrive ahead of Relay For Life held on the last weekend of the month.

This will be the sixth year Ms Koevoets has taken part in the relay and she is driven by a very powerful and personal motivation to lace up the runners, walk laps and raise awareness and money for the Cancer Council.

From barbecues and bingo to a black and white ball, the fund-raising figures have grown each year from $1500 in Ms Koevoets’ first year as captain to $5800 last year.

This year the team has a target of $10,000 and members have promised to wax, dye and shave off much-loved beards and heads of hair if they can reach that tantalising total.

Why do you get involved in Relay For Life?

Our team name reflects our motivations. I personally do it for ‘The Past’ (my mum and couple of friends like Casey), ‘The Present’ (my boss and a couple more friends), and ‘The Future’ (the ones I’m hoping to save so they never have to go through cancer or if they do that they have access to the resources and technology that makes the road easier to travel and lifts the survival rate). I look forward to October as that is the anniversary of Mum’s death and the Relay For Life is a positive way to keep honouring her year after year.

What is the most powerful aspect of the event for you?

If I had to choose one hour to be there it would be the Hope Ceremony as that is where we reflect on ‘the past’.

That is ‘my time’ where I go off by myself and I’m an absolute emotional wreck during that hour. But the wonderful thing about Relay For Life is it is a full-on family fun day so my brothers and sisters and children take part and it’s a way to show them that Mum will live on in our memories.

What do you think other people get out of participating in Relay For Life?

There are many different reasons people do the relay but we are all bound by one common cause. It is fantastic to know the support in the community is there and that you are not alone. Among our team members I would say 99 per cent of them have been touched by cancer and that is why this event resonates with so many people in the community.

WHAT started as a personal journey to honour his mum has become a corporate crusade for Rodney Stratton.

When his mother passed away from cervical cancer, Mr Stratton’s sisters decided the family should get on board to support Relay For Life.

It’s now the fifth year Mr Stratton and his family will take part in the event and the second year his business, Tint-a-Car Wodonga, will provide corporate sponsorship as part of the Jacob Group and field a team.

Mr Stratton says he has no problem straddling the responsibilities of fielding two relay teams but admits a lot of fund-raising secrets are shared between the two.

From raffles and chocolate drives to a car show where staff volunteer their time on a Saturday morning, the fund-raising frenzy builds each year as teams strive to find novel ways to raise cash for the cancer cause.

Why do you get involved in Relay For Life?

On a personal level that’s the day my family get together to honour our mother. Mum was a big family person and this is our chance to remember together the time we had with her. From a business perspective, it’s a great team-building event where staff can have fun and raise money at the same time.

What is the most powerful aspect of the event for you?

The Hope Ceremony at dusk is a very powerful and emotional part of Relay For Life. Everyone there is united by a shared feeling regardless of what walk of life you come from.

What do you think staff get out of participating in this event?

I believe businesses should be seen to be doing something in their community. Relay For Life is something everybody connects to in some way and I think it is important for staff to see that it is not just take, take from customers — that we are giving something back.

WHAT started as a personal journey to honour his mum has become a corporate crusade for Rodney Stratton.

When his mother passed away from cervical cancer, Mr Stratton’s sisters decided the family should get on board to support Relay For Life.

It’s now the fifth year Mr Stratton and his family will take part in the event and the second year his business, Tint-a-Car Wodonga, will provide corporate sponsorship as part of the Jacob Group and field a team.

Mr Stratton says he has no problem straddling the responsibilities of fielding two relay teams but admits a lot of fund-raising secrets are shared between the two.

From raffles and chocolate drives to a car show where staff volunteer their time on a Saturday morning, the fund-raising frenzy builds each year as teams strive to find novel ways to raise cash for the cancer cause.

Why do you get involved in Relay For Life?

On a personal level that’s the day my family get together to honour our mother. Mum was a big family person and this is our chance to remember together the time we had with her. From a business perspective, it’s a great team-building event where staff can have fun and raise money at the same time.

What is the most powerful aspect of the event for you?

The Hope Ceremony at dusk is a very powerful and emotional part of Relay For Life. Everyone there is united by a shared feeling regardless of what walk of life you come from.

What do you think staff get out of participating in this event?

I believe businesses should be seen to be doing something in their community. Relay For Life is something everybody connects to in some way and I think it is important for staff to see that it is not just take, take from customers — that we are giving something back.

THIS year’s Relay For Life is even closer to the heart of Xavier High School.

When former student Braedon Hensel, 22, lost his three-year battle with cancer in June, it galvanised the school to go all out for the event.

School house groups have been involved in the relay for the past four years but this time the entire school has been called into action including students, teachers, family, former students and anyone else who wants to get on board.

PE teacher and house co-ordinator Aaron West says Braedon’s death struck a chord with students who are passionate about making a big impact this year.

“We would love to have 400 people join the team, that’s half the school community, and our aim is to raise $12,000,” Mr West says.

“Cancer touches all lives in society and within the school there are many people who have lost close relatives but it’s a bit closer to the heart this year.”

Why did you get involved in Relay For Life? 

There are so many students and their families affected by cancer that it is really great to be part of a community event that supports them. I like the fact the relay is about action, not just giving money. You can see, feel and do something tangible. 

What is the most powerful aspect of the event for you?

From the corporate world through to children, this event brings together the community of Albury-Wodonga and it really is an event people mark on their calendar.

What do you think students get out of participating in this event?

There is a real sense of satisfaction of giving of yourself, of both your time and your physical presence. 

I think an event like this encourages students not to be so self-absorbed and reflects what life is all about.

Walking laps with people of all ages and different experiences of cancer really brings homes the message that there is more to life than material things like their phone or Facebook. 

We don’t force students to be involved but even if they only give an hour, we ask they come in the right spirit — that they really give of themselves and be in the moment.