When Vicki Bibby was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, she didn’t tell her husband for two weeks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
She knew how hard caring for someone with cancer can be, what a toll it could take and how little recognition carers sometimes received.
“Rob had also lost his first wife to breast cancer previously,” she said.
“When I found a lump on my breast it took my two weeks to tell him because I just knew what a struggle he’d been through with his late-wife’s cancer.
“It’s important to acknowledge the carers, early on I think carers were told to suck it up a bit, but they have their own journey with cancer, their own struggles.”
Mrs Bibby said it was fantastic to see carers honoured at the 2018 Border Relay For Life.
“Everyone has their own story here,” she said. “It’s humbling.”
Border relay chairman Peter Whitmarsh said the event was a uniting force which showed people they weren’t alone.
“They say one in two will be affected by some sort of cancer,” he said.
“It’s probably the only thing the whole community has in common, that brings everyone together.
“It’s the one think we share and it’s great to see people come out and support each other.”
Mr Whitmarsh said the 2018 event was even bigger than last year, with 2000 people registered and another 500 expected to sign up during the walk.
MORE RELAY COVERAGE:
He said the new school parade lap saw 400 children take to the park, while the new community relay baton, on which individual or team names could be engraved, had been very popular.
For many, the event is a celebration of life – either the life of someone they loved or the life they still have.
Emma Trevaskis and daughter Chloe, 13, walked in memory of their mother and grandmother Coral Healey who died seven years ago from a melanoma in her eye.
“No one is alone, we’ve all lived through similar things,” she said.
“It’s good to know you’re not alone and that there is always someone to talk to.”
Brave Hearts Dragonboat club member Mel McIntyrne believes human connection saved her life after she was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago.
“Dragon boats keeps me alive,” she said. “Because I was diagnosed as stage three I was virtually told to got home and get my life in order, but I’m still here and everyday is a blessing. My Brave Hearts keep me going.”
Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here