Relay for Life returns

RELAY for Life will return to the Geelong region in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cancer Council Victoria is encouraging locals to join this year’s event, to be held at St Albans Reserve in Thomson on 8 October.

The fundraiser aims to brings communities to come together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against cancer.

During Relay for Life, teams complete laps around a track or oval to signify the hope of a cancer-free future.

While there have been local Relay for Life events in previous years, a Cancer Council spokesperson said this would not be the case in 2022 as the Geelong event would be “for the entire region.”

An average of 1602 people are diagnosed with cancer in Greater Geelong each year and on average more than 134,000 people take part in Relay For Life events nationally, raising about $14 million each year.

There are several ways to take part of Relay For Life, including becoming a team leader or joining a team, becoming a member of a committee or volunteering at an event.

Cancer Council Victoria community giving manager Renee Gani said Relay For Life events were a chance for whole communities to unite for a common cause.

“Relay For Life is such a beloved, unique event and allows people to make a difference in the communities,” she said.

“After the challenges our community has faced during the past two years, we’re thrilled that Relay For Life is back in 2022 and can’t wait to see Geelong locals come together once again for such a special day.”

To learn more and register your Relay For Life team, head to relayforlife.org.au.