Throughout his 10-year battle with cancer, Col Brown has done his best to remain positive.
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This Saturday he will join hundreds of others who share this message of hope at Cessnock’s eighth annual Relay For Life.
Mr Brown, a well-known Kurri resident, has been named this year’s Face of Relay.
The retired electrician has been battling chronic lymphatic leukaemia and lymphoma for 10 years.
His condition was monitored for the first five years, and since then he has had constant treatment – including chemotherapy, radiation and blood transfusions.
Mr Brown says he keeps fighting and stays positive, with the support of his wife Ev, three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“We’ve fought hard together,” he said.
“It’s a long hard battle but we hang in there.
“I always try to present myself well and not let it depress me.”
Mr Brown ran his own electrical business in Kurri for more than 40 years, but wound the business down after his diagnosis.
He is also a well-respected Rotarian with the Kurri club, having been a member for 42 years.
“We’ve had a good life, we’ve served the community well, but it’s hard to do some of those things now and I miss that,” he said.
“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
Mr Brown said the 30-minute trip to the Mater Hospital is not so bad, considering he has met people from as far away as Armidale who travel to Newcastle for many weeks at a time for their treatment.
Assisting cancer patients with transport to treatment is just one of the ways funds raised from Relay For Life helps in the community.
Money raised goes to Cancer Council’s information and support programs, prevention and advocacy initiatives and cancer research.
Mr Brown said he was honoured to be asked to be the Face of Relay, as he knows the value of its cause.
“They’re doing a marvellous job with research; years ago you would be dead and gone,” he said.
As well as raising vital funds, Relay For Life participants celebrate cancer survival, remember loved ones lost to the illness, and fight back against cancer by pledging to live a healthier lifestyle.
More than 35 teams have signed up for the Cessnock relay, which will be held at Baddeley Park from 10am to 10pm this Saturday.
“We are very excited to see so many new teams join this year, and once again the support from local businesses has been overwhelming,” Cessnock Relay For Life chairperson Clint Ekert said.
“We have a jam-packed day of entertainment by some new faces to Relay; we will have displays from local car yards, we have kids’ entertainment and this year we have our Celebration and Remembrance fireworks back.
“We can’t wait to see everyone at Baddeley Park on the weekend!”
For those wanting a delicious meal and not the worry of taking food, Cessnock Wine Country Rotary Club will once again be selling barbecue meals from its catering vans.
There will be steak sandwiches, sausage burgers, egg and bacon roll and soft drink, all at reasonable prices.
The food will be available for purchase from 10am on the day until late. Proceeds go back to the Relay For Life committee.
See the full program on page 13 of today’s Advertiser here.
Registrations can still be made here.