Another successful Cansa Relay For Life
The crowd dressed up and showed up for this years CANSA Relay
It was a windy night with the threat of rain in the air, but even that could not stop more than 600 people showing their support, appreciation, determination and hope for people with cancer.
The annual Cancer Association of South Africa’s (Cansa) Relay For Life was held at Hoërskool Bastion on 12 October and people from all over came to join.
The Relay For Life is an opportunity to celebrate those who have survived cancer, to remember those who are no longer with us and to create awareness about cancer.
The funds raised for Cansa came from the team registration, entrance fees and donations. In addition, a teddy bear was auctioned off, with the winning bid being no less than R2 000. The teddy was then donated back to Cansa to be used next year again.
After the opening ceremony, where the Bastion drummies entertained the crowd, the cancer survivors led the first lap, to signify their victory over cancer. On the second lap they were joined by their caregivers, the people who helped cancer patients during their journey. After the survivor and caregiver laps, the route was opened to all team members. Teams were made up of between 10 and 15 members who walked from 6pm to 6am.
Next it was time for the Luminaria ceremony. These bags were dedicated to those who lost their battle to cancer, those who had won, and those who are still fighting the disease.
Bags dedicated to specific cancer patients were decorated by family and friends and placed around the track. Candles, which were lit while a bagpiper lapped the track, were placed inside the bags. These candles remained lit throughout the relay until the closing ceremony.
Each team received an event guide booklet. At the back of this booklet was a lap counter. Every time one of the team members completed a lap they would get a sticker which they then had to stick into their booklet.
The teams went all out with decorating their tents and dressing up for the event. There were pirates, hippies, cowboys, unicorns and lots of sparkles and colour.
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