FORGET politicians or celebrities, the only “VIPs” at Border Relay For Life are the survivors and their carers.
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People like mother of three Tara Larkin, who is in remission after a long fight with thyroid cancer, and who lost a brother to cancer when she was a teenager.
Ms Larkin has been named this year’s Border Relay For Life Hero and will share her inspirational story at the Hope Ceremony tomorrow night during the event that raises funds to support the NSW Cancer Council.
Border Relay For Life chairman Carl Friedlieb said with 153 teams and 2300 people registered to date, the event was shaping up to equal last year’s record-breaking $460,000 fund-raising effort.
But Mr Friedlieb was quick to point out that no matter the dollar figure raised, the Cancer Council was already appreciative of the Border community’s ongoing support.
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He said it was now time for teams to relax and enjoy the wonderful community spectacle that has become synonymous with the last weekend in October.
“This is an event where the community comes together to share the cancer journey — it’s not about politicians, celebrities or other big names,” Mr Friedlieb said.
“Our VIPs are our survivors and their carers.”
From the highs of the opening ceremony and the fun and frolics of the Miss Relay Pageant through to the raw emotion of the Hope Ceremony at 8pm tomorrow, Mr Friedlieb said the event would be a roller-coaster ride of emotion.
And as teams walk through the night and come together on Sunday for the fightback closing ceremony, it’s a chance to reflect on those loved and lost and those who remain.
People like Ms Larkin, the driving force behind her workmates registering the Belvoir Rockers team and nominated as a relay “hero” by friend and work colleague Candace Membrey.
“Tara is one of the lucky ones, she is a survivor but she represents so much more than that; she represents hope, she represents a cause for celebration,” Ms Membrey said.
“Tara’s story has a happy ending for now and by relaying in her honour, sharing her story and raising much-needed funds, we can in some small way contribute to happy endings for other people as well.”
Border Relay For Life kicks off tomorrow from 9.30am at the Wodonga Raiders Football and Sports Club, Birallee Park. For full program details or to register a team go to www.relayforlife.org.au or visit the Facebook page.